New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Urges King Charles to ‘Return’ Koh-i-Noor Diamond to India

King Charles‘ bling collection is causing a royal headache. Among the 20,000-plus gemstones in his trust is the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond — a 105-carat rock that not everyone thinks the monarch should continue to own. Now, NYC’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has added his name to the growing list of detractors. “I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor,” the 34-year-old said at a press conference, per BBC. His comments come after repeated attempts by India to retrieve the priceless piece, which was allegedly stolen during colonial conquest. While Mamdani has Indian roots, it’s not the only country to lay claim to the stone, with Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan also reportedly vying for control of the Koh-i-Noor.

Still, King Charles, 77, seems keen to hold onto the diamond — despite a rumored curse that brings bad fortune to any man who wears it! A Crown Jewel since the mid-19th century, the gem remains safely locked up in the Tower of London and was even swapped out of a headpiece Queen Camilla wore at his 2023 coronation to avoid unwanted attention the Royal Collection Trust website states.