NEW YORK: New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani known as for King Charles to “return” the prized Koh-i-Noor diamond, which the British Empire took from the Indian subcontinent within the 1800s, on the third day of the monarch’s state go to on Wednesday.

Earlier than greeting Charles and Queen Camilla at a 9/11 memorial occasion, Mamdani was requested what he would talk about with the king if he had the possibility.

“If I used to be to talk to the king, individually from that, I might in all probability encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond,” the leftist mayor stated, including that his focus can be honoring these killed within the terror assaults.

It is unclear whether or not Mamdani adopted by way of and introduced up the contentious topic with Charles when the 2 met.

The monarch was seen laughing with Mamdani and having a quick dialog after they shook palms.

Housed within the Tower of London, the huge 106 carat stone is the star of Britain’s crown jewels, adorning the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mom.

The possession of the jewel has been contested over the centuries, passing by way of the palms of Mughal emperors, Iranian shahs and Sikh maharajas earlier than the Kingdom of Punjab gave it to Queen Victoria in 1849 as a part of a peace treaty.

India has repeatedly and unsuccessfully sought the return of the priceless jewel.

Whereas there may be little doubt it was mined in India, its historical past thereafter is a combination of delusion and truth, with a number of nations together with Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan additionally laying declare to the gem.

A politician from the anti-immigration Reform UK occasion was fast to slam the feedback as an “insult to our King.”

“This stunning diamond is presently on show within the Tower of London,” the occasion’s dwelling affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf stated in an X put up. “That’s the place it’ll keep.”