'Return Kohinoor': Mamdani to raise Kohinoor demand with King Charles III during New York visit; watch what he said publicly

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday stirred a sharp debate ahead of a high-profile royal visit, indicating that any interaction with King Charles III would go beyond ceremonial niceties. At a press briefing, he pointed directly to one of the world’s most contested royal possessions, the Kohinoor diamond, suggesting it should be returned.

Mamdani's direct message to King Charles

When asked what he would say if he met the British monarch, Mamdani did not hedge his words. He said, "If I were to speak to the king... I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond."

The remark stands out because mayoral engagements with the British Crown usually follow strict diplomatic language. Mamdani’s comment instead brought a long-standing historical dispute into a modern political setting.

Royal visit tied to 9/11 remembrance

King Charles III, along with Queen Camilla, is in New York to visit One World Trade Center, marking 25 years since the September 11 attacks. The attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including 67 British citizens.

Mamdani is expected to attend the event, placing him in the same space as the monarch he has publicly challenged.

Mamdani's personal link to India

The mayor’s remarks also carry a personal layer. His mother, Mira Nair, was born in India before moving to the United States, while his father, Mahmood Mamdani, has lived and worked across continents, including Africa.

Why the Kohinoor still matters

The Kohinoor, meaning “Mountain of Light,” is more than a gemstone. It represents both heritage and historical wounds.

Originally mined in India’s Kollur region, the diamond once weighed 186 carats before being cut. It passed through several ruling powers, including the Mughals and the Sikh empire.

In 1849, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British East India Company took control of Punjab. The 10-year-old ruler, Maharaja Duleep Singh, signed the Treaty of Lahore, which transferred the diamond to Queen Victoria.

Today, the 105.6-carat gem sits in the British Crown, displayed in the Tower of London.

A debate that refuses to fade

For many in India, the Kohinoor is seen as a symbol of colonial extraction rather than a lawful transfer. The British government, however, has long maintained that the diamond was acquired legally under the treaty.

Historians and critics counter that a document signed by a child ruler under pressure cannot be considered legitimate.

A wider global demand

Mamdani’s statement echoes similar calls from other regions seeking the return of historic artefacts, including Greece’s demand for the Elgin Marbles and African nations’ push for the Benin Bronzes.

By bringing up the Kohinoor ahead of a royal visit, Mamdani has shifted the tone of what would typically be a symbolic engagement. His stance places historical accountability at the centre of a present-day diplomatic moment.