Camilla may not wear Queen Mum’s crown with world’s largest diamond at Charles coronation after claims jewel was stolen
CAMILLA may not wear the Queen Mother's crown at Charles' coronation amid claims the diamond was stolen.
India and other nations have long claimed ownership of the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond, which sits in the cross at the front of the crown.
When the prospect of King Charles' coronation was discussed several years ago, it is understood it was provisionally agreed Camilla would wear the stunning regalia at the ceremony.
But according to royal sources, there is "significant nervousness" over the Queen Consort being crowned with the headpiece next year because of the ongoing ownership dispute, the reports.
It remains a symbol of the Empire and colonialism for many, prompting significant upset when it is paraded across the world stage.
The giant diamond may be removed from the crown before it is used as it is held in a detachable platinum mount, or it may be shunned in favour of a simpler coronet.
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The Koh-i-Noor gem - one of the largest cut diamonds in the world - was gifted to Queen Victoria by Duleep Singh, the last emperor of the Sikhs.
It is claimed by India as well as several other countries in the region.
The source told the outlet: "Times have changed and His Majesty The King is acutely sensitive to these issues, as are his advisors.
"There are serious political sensitivities and significant nervousness around them, particularly regarding India."
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
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Author of Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond, William Dalrymple, said: "It is not a small sensitive issue in the eyes of India. It is a massive diplomatic grenade."
He explained the jewel was symbolic of what countries lost during the colonial period and is part of a "wider disconnect" with India and the UK.
"There is an expectation that this is an issue that will come back. Colonialism is over, Britain wants to make friends with India, it is a major new rising power," William said.
"This tiny stone, which is actually not that big has come to take the whole weight of colonisation on its shoulder.
"It has become this very, very sensitive object and is a major issue now between the two countries."
The crown features 2,800 diamonds and was made for the late Queen Mother using many gems from Queen Victoria's Regal Circlet.
It is not clear where the diamond came from, but it was acquired by Britain in 1849 after being held in India for more than 35 years.
Authorities in India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have all claimed ownership of the Koh-i-Noor and demanded its return.
The grand diamond was gifted to Queen Victoria in 1855 by the ten-year-old heir to the Punjabi throne - after his mother was held prisoner and he was forced to sign it away.
This tiny stone, which is actually not that big has come to take the whole weight of colonisation on its shoulder.
William Dalrymple
The monarch wore the stone in a brooch and a circlet and it became one of her prized possessions.
Following Victoria's death in 1901, it was set in Edward VII's wife Queen Alexandra's crown before being transferred to Queen Mary's headpiece in 1911.
It was then put in the Queen Mother's crown in 1937 for her coronation as Queen Consort.
The gem is now on display in the Tower of London's Jewel House.
Political commentator Saurav Dutt warned the royals the use of the "looted artifact", Koh-i-Noor, would create "outrage".
He told the Mail: "Ensuring the Koh-i-Noor remains front and centre in the public eye in this way flies in the face of any attempt by the Royal Family and political orthodoxies to draw a line under the dispossession, prejudice, plunder and exploitation that imperialism revelled in.
"Such a position is at odds with the modern, egalitarian stance the Royals seek to present themselves within a world that seeks to move on from the ugliest chapters of history that they benefited from."
It comes after the Palace confirmed King Charles' coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6 next year.
His Majesty's coronation at London's Westminster Abbey will take place almost 70 years after his mother's ceremony in 1953.
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The event will “represent modern Britain” and is expected to be cut to around a third in length - lasting just one hour.
Camilla will be crowned alongside her husband, just as the Queen Mother was by King George VI in 1937.
