For months now, Buckingham Palace has released a steady drip of news about King Charles’s coronation in May. We’ve gotten news on the new gold carriage, the new thrones, the music, the bank holiday and so much more. But for months, there’s been a long-simmering controversy about what crown Queen Consort Camilla will wear. The original plan/scheme was to possibly have Camilla wear the traditional “Mary Teck” queen-consort crown worn by Charles’s grandmother, the last queen consort. The problem with that is the traditional queen-consort crown includes the Koh-i-Noor, a diamond stolen from India, a diamond which India wants back in no uncertain terms. Narendra Modi’s government has already made it clear that they will have a huge problem if Camilla trots out wearing the Koh-i-noor. So… other crown plans have been quietly debated for months. The solution has just been announced, weirdly at the same time Camilla is canceling events because of another Covid infection.
Camilla’s crown for her Coronation on May 6 has been revealed. The Queen Consort, 75, will wear the Crown of Queen Mary which was today removed from the Tower of London. It’s been revealed she will wear the consort crown made for Mary of Teck in 1911. It was placed on the Queen Mother’s coffin during her 2002 funeral and has since sat on public display in the Tower of London.
The choice of Queen Mary’s Crown by Her Majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the Coronation of a Consort instead of a new commission being made. Some minor changes and additions will be undertaken by the Crown Jeweller.
These changes will in particular pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as the Crown will be reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds. The diamonds were part of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewellery collection for many years and were often worn by Her late Majesty as brooches.
The crown is expected to include a replica of the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond. The diamond has been at the centre of a 700-year political and legal wrangle over its ownership. Some in India and Pakistan believe the gemstone, which was discovered in the 14th century, was stolen by the British Empire and are demanding its return.
Love the way India’s ownership of the Koh-i-Noor is filtered through the British media. “Some in India and Pakistan believe the gemstone, which was discovered in the 14th century, was stolen by the British Empire.” Where was it discovered? The Sun doesn’t say! And only “some people,” huh? So… Camilla WILL wear the traditional queen consort’s crown, the Mary Teck crown worn by queen consorts in the 20th century. But the Koh-i-Noor will be removed and replaced with a “replica,” plus QEII’s Cullinan diamonds will be set in the updated crown? Basically, instead of dealing with the Koh-i-Noor drama head-on and actually having a debate about whether the diamond should be returned, the Windsors are just going to hide the Koh-i-Noor and pretend that it doesn’t exist? (How much do you want to bet that the “replica” will just end up being the actual Koh-i-noor?)
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Getty.
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- The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of Jamie’s Farm, leaves after a visit to the residential farm in the Wye Valley, Monmouthshire. Picture date: Wednesday July 6, 2022.,Image: 705501579, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during The Oldie Luncheon, in celebration of her 75th Birthday at National Liberal Club on July 12, 2022 in London, England.,Image: 706844548, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- ST. AUSTELL, CORNWALL – JULY 19: Dame Esther Rantzen, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Founder of Silver Stories, Elisabeth Carney Haworth during a visit to Charlestown School on July 19, 2022 in St. Austell, Cornwall. The Duchess of Cornwall is patron of Silver Stories, a charity that arranges for children to read over the phone to older members of the community who may be isolated or vulnerable. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are on a 3-day visit to the southwestern region to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ 70th year as the Duke of Cornwall.,Image: 708302952, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545057, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545375, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at The Oldie Luncheon, in celebration of her 75th Birthday at National Liberal Club. Featuring: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 12 Jul 2022 Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
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- Diplomatic Corps Reception At Buckingham Palace Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 06 Dec 2022 Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
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- Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom When: 25 Dec 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
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- Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom When: 25 Dec 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
Does an impartial party get to examine the crown up close to ascertain that it’s a replica and not the Koh-i-noor?
Charles’ first trip abroad as king should be to India to return the koh-i-noor.
Yeah right it’s a “replica”. It will be the same stone. People aren’t stupid. Just give all your stolen property back.
It’s certainly the only morally correct choice. And it would be great PR with the Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations. However, I’m sure Charles doesn’t want to start his reign with a precedent of returning ill-begotten imperial swag. Because then he would have to empty out the entire royal larder — and directly face the adjacent reparations conversations.
Also how is this better if they’re keeping the real one? It’s a replica … of the one in the vault. Still flexing their ownership, unashamed of the centuries of crimes against humanity.
💯☝️This
I don’t believe this for one second 🤢 pure propaganda 🤢 same old playbook.
Charles is SO fucking stupid. He is SO desperate to become beloved by the British people, and this could be EASILY achieved by returning ALL of the gems currently in the Crown’s possession that can reasonably be proven to be stolen. Not only would he become beloved by the people of Britain, he would become admired around the WORLD. But he’s too dumb.
It seems stupid to me to remove the Koh-i-noor just to put a replica in its place. Like the idea is still the same, right? Maybe its marginally better than parading around with the actual diamond, but its still saying “well we do have this stone and we do like how it looks in this crown so here’s a replica but don’t ask where we put the actual stone, its not in the crown so there are no more issues with it.”
Does this mean Charles is giving the Cullinan diamonds to the crown jewels collection? Or will they be removed? Why not just have a new crown made with those cullinan diamonds? (there are already two cullinan diamonds, I believe, in the crown jewels, one in Charles’ crown and one in his scepter, I think? I would have to confirm. But then there are maybe 5 that belonged to the Queen personally, she called them “Granny’s chips” IIRC without checking Wiki.)
Agreed, replace it with another stone because I don’t see how a replica resolves the ‘HA HA WE HAVE YOUR DIAMOND’ issue in the slightest.
They really are SO bad at this, aren’t they? I mean way to not solve the problem AND create a whole new issue for themselves – namely, if a replica of the Koh-i-noor is good enough for Camilla’s coronation crown then a replica of ALL the jewels they’ve half inched over the centuries is good enough for any royal. So now they’re basically saying that fake jewels are acceptable, what excuse do they have for hanging onto any other loot??
And yeah, there’s no logic at all in the ‘we’re not actually using it so therefore we don’t need to return it’ strategy.
Seriously?
I agree which is why the sun’s article is such a poor write up. In the public statement they stated they are going to use the Cullinans III, IV, and V brooch as tribute to the Queen. III and IV together will be placed where the Koh-i-noor was presumably due to size and prominence
It was a poor write-up! I’m still confused over the part where they say this is the first time a new crown hasn’t been made for the QC, yet they mention how this particular crown was placed on the coffin of QE, the queen mother. So then what crown was made for her for George VI’s coronation? Why was that one not placed on her coffin?
yeah that part doesn’t make sense. I’m looking it up and it seems that both Queens Alexandra and Mary had new crowns made for their coronations (as well as the Queen Mother) but they all used the Koh-i-Noor in their crowns, so maybe that’s the confusion?
There’s no such part in The Guardian article so I think this is made up.
South Africa wants the Cullinan diamonds back. By removing the Koh-I-Noor they are showing respect for South Asia and showing none for Africa. Unsurprising
I’ve begun to think that all those millions Charles keep bringing home from trips abroad are not bribes per se, but him selling off the uncatalogued stolen treasures in their castles.
Ok thank you, I was sure the Cullinans had their own colonial history. Truly, are there any non-stolen royal jewels?
Since there are no diamond mines in europe, most can be considered stolen. If not as colonial trophys, than as blood diamonds to finance warlords. After 2003 it gets better but diamonds are still highly problematic.
The only real alternative are lab-grow diamonds which are chemicaly identical. My Engagement ring has a beautiful sky diaomd, made with regenerative energy from aur captured carbon.
Since the company is UK bases, that would be an alternative.
If they’re willing to wear replica stones, then why not just give the actual ones back? And more, why make tiaras with real jewels when engineered ones can be made to look beautiful?
How about no Crown at all? Problem solved.
How about no coronation at all? Larger problem (tacky conspicuous consumption at a time of public hardship) solved.
Lol so they think if people think it’s a replica no one will be protesting outside his big day? Sure Jan.
Should there be a count down to this event??
It will be a let down on the actual day, too much is being said already.
Isn’t Camilla ill??
If she is resting while news of her not doing the same??
India and Pakistan is already dealing with the matter, no need to have an opinion.
Utterly pointless. What on earth is putting a replica in going to do except gather more publicity and remind people they still have the Koh-i-Noor and are refusing to give it up?
Just put a paper bag over her face
This made me laugh out loud
A bedazzled bag. With little tin cups.
Hahahaha!!
Maybe Kate’s preschool obsession could have a competition for best entry, QC wears the winner.
We choose it.
@S, THAT is the crown she has truly earned and deserves!
Best suggestion I’ve heard yet!
LOL. That would be a gift to the nation.
Honestly, this solution would do the world a huge favor. Every time I see her picture, the only word that comes immediately to mind is GHASTLY.
🤣🤣🤣 @S! can we add subtle pieces of hay to that bag? 🐴🐴🐴
Bag would be an improvement.
S’pose you could doll it up some. 💰
Yeah, that one picture was…startling. (yikes)
Some people??? If they’re going to replace the Koh then they should just return it while they’re at it. And people are still going to be talking about the Koh throughout the ceremony and how it was “replaced.” These shameless grifters.
THIS. Imagine the goodwill if there was a little side ceremony before the actual Chubbly, formally returning the jewel to India’s representative. DUH.
if they returned the Koh, they’d be pressed to return anything that’s deemed “stolen” and the monarchy would be left with no jewels bc we all know all of those are either stolen or acquired with dirty money or blood money.
Yeah I don’t believe for a second they’d actually remove the Koh-i-Noor. Then what? Put it back later? Imagine if it was damaged as they did this replacement? I don’t see this happening.
They’re incrementally working up for her just wearing the Koh-i-Noor. They’ll be some story later about how a replacement couldn’t be made in time.
Rapunzel, of course they won’t replace it. It’s just the usual gaslighting from the Palace . They think we are all like mushrooms, keep us in the dark and feed us bullsht
Totally agree. These OG racists and white supremacists do not care that India and Pakistan have been demanding the return of the Koh-i-Noor. They didn’t consider or validate Harry’s feelings and perspective about their wrongful or harmful actions and he is their own flesh and blood. They don’t care about anything except preserving their own hides, riches, privilege and power.
Even if they do actually substitute the Koh-i-Noor with a replica, how much is it going to cost? They definitely aren’t going to use a cubic zirconia or a piece of glass as a replica.
Exactly! No one can see whether it is the original or a copy. Camilla is going to wear the original stone and they are just going to lie about it.
Not the flex they think it is. To hide the real diamond and then consider all is well? Dumb reigns supreme again.
Yes. Remove the Koh-i-Noor and return it to the rightful owners. Raggedy ass thieves.
If you want to learn more about the Koh-i-Noor, and yes, how the British Empire stole it and a child along with it, I highly recommend the Noble Blood podcast’s episode on “The Curse of the Koh-i-Noor.”
Wow, thanks for this Susie Q! I’ve downloaded a few episodes already.
Noble Blood is SO GOOD!
It is definitely one of my favorite podcasts! I always listen while I’m making dinner. It’s just epic.
Yes! It was so good!
Omg I LOVE Dana Schwartz! I haven’t been listening to Noble Blood as much recently but I’ve been following her since her @GuyInYourMFA on Twitter days. Just yesterday one of the Jeopardy champions mentioned she was a writer for Noble Blood (it wasn’t Dana the host, just someone who works on the podcast) and I got all excited lol. It is such a good podcast and delves into all the weird and sordid histories of different members of various royal families.
She recently made some negative comments about Harry and Spare. Her guest went on him a bit too.
Thank you for the recommendation!
Thanks for the suggestion- I just listened to the Empire podcast’s episodes (4, I think) on the history of the Koh-i-Noor and they were great. So fascinating
So rather than dealing with the actual issue of stolen gems, the royals are kicking the can (or the Koh-i-Noor) down the road. Procrastination is the theme of Charles’ reign.
‘(How much do you want to bet that the “replica” will just end up being the actual Koh-i-noor?)’
As I was reading, I was thinking along those lines stated at the end. No one will be able to differentiate from a distance. Haha 😆. These people are so good at smoke and mirrors, you can tell it’s what they have been doing for centuries. Difference is, 21st century population is more aware of the shenanigans.
India – what say you to the colonizer’s ruse? 🤔 Will you insist they return it before the coronation?
I call bs. No way is C-Rex, who lied bigly to the public about Cam being called princess consort instead of QC, going to allow a fake jewel be worn by the woman he has placed above everyone and everything else (after himself). These two are far too selfish to let anything diminish their victory lap at the ClownFest. She will wear the real jewel and they both will smirk and have a giggle session over how they hoodwinked the public yet again. India should sent their own jewelry appraiser and again loudly demand the jewel’s return. And keep demanding it.
Harry spoke vividly about this crown and the diamond.
The last time Harry saw the crown was on his great grandmother’s coffin, and now the world will see it on his stepmother’s head.
I feel like I would want a crown that hadn’t taken a public trip on top of someone’s coffin. That’s just me.
This entire coronation just gets worse with every decision they make. Sticking their heads in the sand won’t make the controversy go away. There is no official budget for this 💩show, and it just keeps growing. I will be surprised if people aren’t in full revolt by the time it takes place. I don’t see it even getting ratings since it is the most tone deaf and grotesquely greedy self centered event I’ve ever heard of. When the final cost comes in it’s going to be staggering. As far as her crown, I can’t bring myself to care she is a horribly evil person sticking diamonds on her head doesn’t change that, it only makes it worse. This woman has been only about herself since day one she could care less who she destroys to get what she wants. What India wants means nothing to her, I wouldn’t put it past her to keep the diamond in the crown and gaslight the public saying it’s a replica.
I wonder how much aid the money from the sale of that diamond would buy for earthquake victims in Pakistan?
The world is falling to pieces and these people are resetting stolen diamonds with other ill-gotten blood diamonds. It’s just so gross.
Why is there a need to have a replica of Koh-i-noor? Just leave it off entirely.
Yes, leaving it off would make far more sense to me. By replacing it with a replica they are leaving the ghost of the stone and the controversies surrounding it in place, so in that sense it will still be there, and will still attract criticism. And the consort’s stone will be cheapened by having a fake stone in a prominent position. They must have another large stone kicking around in the vault that they could stick in there.
There’s a TV show airing in Canada right now which is a joint Canadian/Australian production called “Stuff the British Stole.” Each episode covers a specific item in England that the home country wants back and the diamond was the subject of episode 1 or 2. It’s really good and hopefully it puts more pressure on institutions to return stolen items.
Stuff the British Stole is a great podcast, too! I’ve learned a lot about artifacts and history I never even knew about from listening.
That was a great podcast. Particularly enjoyed the one about the pataka carving that had been buried in a swamp for safekeeping during the New Zealand wars, was smuggled out by a shady British antique dealer, and only resurfaced when an Italian collector tried to sell it to pay a ransom. It’s back in Taranaki now, and I plan to go see it next time I’m up that way.
@Leah Thank you for the recommendation! Will def check it out.
I watched that episode and thought it was so informative. It’s so gross what the British did.
You could also see (youtube) John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight episode – Museums.
Soooo, just to clarify – they are swapping out India’s stolen diamonds for South Africa’s stolen diamonds (Cullinan) makes perfect sense
Right? That was my first thought. These people have no conscience, no shame. I can’t imagine actually feeling that entitled. I would be kind of embarrassed to have that kind of coronation with people in your country (and around the Commonwealth) struggling to make ends meet. Not excusing the Dutch or Spanish royal families completely, but at least they kept their ceremonies to a minimum.
Their optics continue to be staggeringly bad.
These ppl are so goddamned arrogant, entitled and ignorant. They have absolutely no clue as to how they appear to the rest of the world.
whoever it was that coined the phrase “you can’t put lipstick on a pig” is having the last laugh now.
Queen Side Piece gonna trot up the aisle wearing a giant CZ on her head. What a metaphor for the whole Chubbly.
Kind of poetic, no?
If Charles were smart, he would return the real stone prior to the Coronation so there’s no speculation…. But we know he’s not that smart. I hope he proves me wrong.
He should start returning the many valuable items the RF owns that their ancestors stole. It would create enormous goodwill. (And isn’t the RF desperately trying to hold on to the colonies?) I just do not understand valuing little shiny things to the point where you’d create huge diplomatic hassles and make yourself look greedy and selfish. Even if they have to give back most of their jewels, they’ve still got plenty (or they could simply keep the historic settings (crowns, tiaras, etc.) but use replica jewels that will look exactly the same to the naked eye).
I suppose the idea is that they need the trappings of extreme wealth (and symbols of their power in subjugating other people) to show that they are special and anointed by God to be better than other people. It’s a catch-22: If you have new golden carriages and thrones and huge jewels, a lot of people are going to be angry about that when they’re just trying to heat their homes and put food on the table, but if you don’t have all that stuff, you’re missing the pageantry that a lot of other people are inspired by and without which they might realize that the emperor has no clothes.
Especially if you’re an unlikable monarch like Charles, or an unlikable consort like Camilla, without the goodwill that QEII amassed over decades, you really can’t win. So why not go for the options that will be kind, generous, and humane? (The answer: because Charles and Camilla are not any of those things.)
Charles and Camilla are going to look ridiculous, if not downright amusing, wearing purple velvet crowns in the year 2023.
That was my thought, too, they will look like they are going to a cheesy costume party.
He would score so many points if they would just make and wear simple gold crowns for the coronation. Obviously, these would still be monstrously expensive, but it’s a start.
Guarantee they already own plenty of gold and legally-acquired gems to make new crowns. Also guarantee that the jewelers would donate their labor. It needn’t cost anything. They’re just too hung up on bad ideas to see the forest for the trees.
What is the point of replacing it with a replica if they’re not giving the original back? This is like William’s earth shot ceremony that didn’t have any of the winners present or Kate’s early childhood initiative that doesn’t actually do anything. So, basically, totally on brand for the royals.
Just give it back. They could use the goodwill more than the diamond.
Then they might as well just put Andrew in the ceremony. What more can he do to sully this event? It’s already in the gutter.
Honestly, you’re right. Even Andrew can’t make this mess worse.
For anyone interested in the history of the Koh-I-Noor, I can recommend the book about the diamond by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand. It is very informative. This diamond has had a long a bloody history. It is intricately bound up in the history of empire: the Persian, the Mughal and lately the British empire – and that is why several different countries are making claims to its ownership. Dalrymple and Anand also has a really good podcast called Empire (where they have a 4-part story about the Koh-I-Noor).
That’s what I said below! I know it’s seen more recently as a symbol of British colonial oppression because that’s whose had it the last few centuries but that diamond has had many, many owners. It had a long bloody history before Queen Victoria acquired it. She supposedly didn’t like wearing it as she was uncomfortable with how it was acquired. It’s only been the cause of misery and devastation, why would anyone want to own it is beyond me. I’ll have to look up the podcast! Thanks for the recommendation.
There’s a reason why not only India but also Pakistan, Afghanistan and possibly Iran have all made a claim on the diamond. Re-homing the diamond would be a very hot political potato, especially considering the fraught relationship between India and Pakistan.
The history of the diamond is really convoluted and its origin is obscure. It is not known exactly where and when it was found. It was in the Delhi Sultanate at some point and then it was acquired by the Mughal emperors and set in the fabled Peacock Throne in the Red Fort of Delhi. The Mughal empire fell to the persians (based in Iran) and from there it ended up in Afghanistan. Later it ended up in Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire, which covered parts of modern India, Pakistan and western Tibet. The diamond was taken from the boy king Duleep Singh by agents of the East India Company and it was the Company that gave it to the British Crown. The diamond was part of a treaty signed by Duleep Singh and the East India Company after a Sikh militarily defeat. However, since Singh was only 11 years old, that treaty was clearly coercive but the UK holds to it as the reason for hanging on to the diamond.
Before the British made India an Imperial colony, the subcontinent was basically in the grasp of a private commercial company with its own private army. That is on one level absolutely bonkers and on another level a scary scenario for the future considering how much global corporations wield.
Because of its bloody history there’s a superstition about it should only be worn by women – because since the stone was a symbol of rulership many many men were killed for it.
@Arthistorian you are totally right and the BRF is definitely leaning into this history so they never have to return it to anyone. They wouldn’t want to work with others to come up with an agreeable solution, so they’ll just keep it.
Another lovely recommendation! Thank you, @ArtHistorian.
Anita Anand also wrote a book about Sophia Duleep Singh, Queen Victoria’s god-daughter, who wound up being fearless revolutionary and suffragette.
Yes. Sophia Duleep Singh was a really interesting woman.
The diamond (Syamantaka) was mined in the Kollur mines in the erstwhile Kakatiya dynasty which is today’s Andhra Pradesh, India. India was the only source of diamonds until the 18th century, I think. Like many many Indian dynasties, the gem was bestowed upon Goddess Bhadrakali, the Kakatiyas’ deity and it was looted by the Delhi Sultanate when they invaded the southern kingdoms. It later made its way to the Mughals from whom it was looted by Nadir shah (Iran) and then it was presented to Durrani (Afghanistan). Maharaja Ranjit Singh defeated the Durrani empire and expanded his Sikh empire and with it came this diamond. Before his death, Raja Ranjith Singh is said to have bequeathed the diamond to Lord Jagannatha of Puri, Orissa, India. The Mughal empire did NOT fall to the Persians, but the Marathas. The British (EIC) occupied India after defeating the Marathas and the Sikh empire, not Mughals. The EIC’s army was financed and sanctioned by the British Crown, so it was not just any ‘company rule’. Please read Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor. The British, by coercion and fraud, made the son of Raja Ranjith Singh, who was 11 at that time, to surrender the diamond to the EIC. At this point, Pakistan did not exist. India was partitioned in 1947 and the country of Pakistan was created and the Hindus and Sikhs of the newly created country fled to India during the Partition. The country of origin of the diamond is India and the modern Indian nation state is the inheritor of the Sikh and Maratha empires, civilizationally and politically. There is a reason why the majority of Indian independence heroes are from the states of Punjab and Maharashtra. The Mughal empire, Delhi sultanate and Kakatiyas are all Indian dynasties. Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan make claims but this is a thoroughly Indian diamond.
They have no inclination to actually return the Koh-I-Noor diamond. There will be no replica and they hope no one will question them on it. This is why Camilla called in Covid this week. She wants all the perks of the job but none of the scrutiny.
The British Royal family is a sham and a disgrace. As an Indian American, I am deeply offended that they plan to display this symbol of brutal British oppression and rule on what they consider a historic day. It shows that they do not give a damn if they offend people of color (even their own British American citizens) as long as they get to display their stolen wealth and symbol of white supremacy.
So, if they can’t wear it any more and they can’t sell it, why not…
Give it back.
I don’t believe for one minute the diamond is being replaced with a replica. Liars.
It was once worn by Queen Mary. Imagine how she would have felt seeing a former married mistress of the Prince of Wales wear that crown. She could not stand Wallis who was another married mistress of a Prince of Wales but never got near the throne. People Magazine has a photo of the Crown on their website.
Ignoring the crown talk for a moment as every all the points have been made – but is it my imagination that the mistress-consort has lost a lot of weight recently?
She has. As I recall her first action as Queen Consort was to jet off to some sort of “health retreat.” Which could be one of those weight loss camps for the uber wealthy. Or there’s always Ozempic . . .
she could also be ill. maybe they’ll all get covid right before the ceremony and be too sick to attend! wouldn’t that be something?
The Koh-I-Noor has a very complicated history. India isn’t the only country reclaiming it and it was passed along and looted from several dynasties and nobody knows exactly where or when it was found (supposedly in India but it’s hard to know for sure). It was in Iran for awhile, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and then back to India before it finally ended up with Queen Victoria in the UK (she didn’t like wearing it apparently according to Wikipedia). If that diamond could talk, I can only imagine the stories it could tell. Do I think Camilla should wear it on her head? No, and she won’t in the end. Do I think the diamond should be kept in the UK? Not necessarily. But when so many wars and assassinations have been caused over that stupid thing long before it came into British possession (seriously that diamond has only been the cause of pain and tears), maybe it should just be tossed into the ocean a la Titanic.
It’s false economy to be using this crown – no matter what they do to it there will be controversy. Just make a new crown.
I’m going to say something really shitty: that woman is really unattractive. Most of the crowns are ugly, not to mention stupid (#abolishthemonarchy) but this woman makes them look like bargain-basement trash.
It’s not shitty, it’s true. They have trouble finding pics of her where she doesn’t look like she’s been dug up … because she looks like she’s been dug up. That aside, she’s also a horrible, very unintelligent person.
Like she has been “dugged” up. You guys are amazing LOL.
I don’t think The Sun got this right. I read this on the BBC earlier, and it sounded like the Koh-i-Noor would be replaced with one of the Cullinan diamonds. I looked at the crown, and there seem to be three settings for “major” gemstones in the front. I imagine each of those will be popped out and replaced with one of the Cullinans. I doubt there will be a replica.
(I can’t believe I just wrote “‘major’ gemstones”! The “minor” diamonds on that crown are larger than anything I could likely imagine.)
I think you’re right, but I am DYING at the idea of Camilla being crowned with a huge cubic zirconia on her forehead. Seems fitting. 🤣👑
Given all their bad publicity lately, giving back the Koh-I-Noor would be a huge gesture and get them some much needed positive press. But they don’t care, I guess. Putting in a replica would be incredibly stupid and defeats the purpose of taking it out.
There’s such a pile of other stuff in that Crown jewels collection, they could return a lot of stolen pieces and still have more than any family needs.
Giving back the Koh in Noor would open the floodgates for all the other Commonwealth countries to ask for a return of their plundered gems as well. Charles won’t/ can’t take that chance.
Just put a tampon in it instead.
LOL, brilliant comment!
😂😂😂
LOL “replica”.
India: “Your ‘ownership’ of this diamond is representative of the demeaning and devastating cruelties of colonial oppression, and your return of the diamond would be a very meaningful symbolic gesture acknowledging the Empire’s wrongdoing.”
Charles and Camilla: “But how could we give it up? It’s so nice and shiny.”
Just decided for sure: I am boycotting the coronation. Not watching. Not clicking on articles about it (outside of CB). Not supporting these spoiled, thieving, wretchedly grotesque creeps.
I have a feeling this disgusting show of useless opulence and anachronistic performative buffoonery is going to backfire, especially given the dire economic straits the country is going through. For that very reason, along with the obvious spite and resentment being shown by Harry’s father and brother, the Sussexes will not show up for the UpChuckery. I refuse to watch even a moment of it and will gladly turn off the news to watch reruns of Frasier.
Jaded, 100% agree.
There is no way that diamond will be replaced. Charles must think his subjects are fools! There’s no way the Queen Escort will get crowned with a glass replica.
C&C are so over the top, they are beyond belief.
The writers of The Windsors, a comedy tv show that mocks the BRF brilliantly, must be a bit sad these days. How can anyone write satire of this group of idiots? They are so deeply, deeply out of touch. Madness. Money grubbing, egotistical fools.
I wish the people would rise up and protest outside BP 24/7!
Peacefully but openly protest 24/7 in large numbers. Volunteers to take shifts to protest.
Take a page from MLK and others, and let the PTB know that the people will not stand for this complete Farce of a coronation, the huge amount of money being put to this wretched show of KingTampon and his vile consort.
Cancel all of it.
If Charles wants it, then he can pay for it personally.
I can’t believe I’m now looking up crowns and diamonds, but here we are.
It looks like it’s common practice for the BRF to move diamonds around between crown and brooch settings. I hate to give Camilla any leeway on anything, but this swap-out idea isn’t new.
The crown can be seen here – notice how there are three big diamonds now, one on top, two more in front on the circlet:
https://www.rct.uk/collection/31704/queen-marys-crown
So it sounds like those 3 diamonds will be removed and 3 from Liz’s brooches will be added. One is round, one is teardrop, and one is sort of a triangle. Wonder what will go where.
The brooches are pictured here:
https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2022/05/platinum-jubilee-jewel-countdown-the-cullinan-iii-iv-brooch.html
And here:
https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/diamonds-a-jubilee-celebration/buckingham-palace/cullinan-v-brooch
Now, let’s start the conversation of how South Africa feels about those diamonds being used. *Makes popcorn*