Why Didn’t Camilla Wear Kohinoor Diamond In King Charles III Coronation?
-
Alaina
- . May 6, 2023
- . Update: May 6, 2023 7:17 pm
Camilla, the queen consort, did not wear the Kohinoor diamond at the coronation of King Charles III to avoid a colonialism row.
Also Read – Coronation To Happen After A 70 Year Gap in Westminster Abbey in June 2023
The 105-carat diamond is currently locked away in the Tower of London, but its history dates back to 14th century India.
The gemstone changed hands multiple times before being ceded to Queen Victoria after the British annexation of Punjab in 1849. Due to this history, there have been calls for the diamond to be returned to India.
Traditionally, the Kohinoor has been worn by queen consorts, but there is a belief that the diamond brings ruin upon any male royal who wears it. Therefore, it was expected that Camilla would wear the Kohinoor at the coronation.
However, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla would not wear the diamond at the coronation of King Charles III. Instead, she will modify Queen Mary’s crown using diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection.
This decision was made in light of the current global discussions around colonialism and its impact on colonized countries.
The British royals hoped to avoid another colonialism row by keeping the Kohinoor diamond out of the public eye during the coronation.
The decision was praised by Anita Anand, co-author of ‘Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond,’ who noted that it reflects the reality of people looking back at colonialism and its effects.
Also Read – A Saudi official attends the King Charles banquet
While the diamond is steeped in history, its current location and ownership continue to be a contentious issue. The Indian government has raised the issue of bringing the Kohinoor back to India, and discussions around its rightful ownership and repatriation are ongoing.
