Calls have been growing for some of the Queen's crown jewels to be returned to India and Africa.
On Thursday, September 8 at Scotland's Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth II passed away. She was 96 years old.
While many people have gathered in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace, in the vicinity of Windsor Castle, and on social media to pay their respects, others have spoken out about the colonial history of the nation that the Queen ruled for 70 years.
People have specifically called for the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is currently set in the Queen Mother's crown and is one of the Crown Jewels on display at the Tower of London, and the Great Star of Africa, which is set in the Sovereign's Sceptre and is also one of the Crown Jewels, to be returned.
‘The Koh-i-noor diamond from India sits atop the crown made for the Queen Mother in 1937 and the Great Star of Africa sits in the Queen's scepter’
The Koh-i-Noor is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world coming in at just over 105 carats. It is said to be worth between $140 and $400 million, but is also hailed as priceless. It is also known as one of the world's most controversial diamonds too.
While the diamond was known as the Syamantaka and is thought to have been first described in a Sanskrit writing more than 5,000 years ago, it was only a matter of conjecture as to who truly owned it.
It is reported as being owned by the Rajas of Malwa until 1304, followed by the Emperor of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji.
After that, it remained in Samarkand for the following 300 years starting in the year 1339.
The Queen Mother's crown with the Koh-i-noor Diamond. Credit: Tom Hanley / Alamy Stock Photo
Up until 1849, when British forces took control of the Punjab and conquered it, the Koh-i-Noor was still in India. After that, it belonged to the British East India Company.
After that, it was transported back to Britain, where Queen Victoria received it in July 1850.
In the end, the diamond was cut and worn by the Queen, who specified in her will that it should only ever be worn by a female monarch or carried by the head of state's wife.
When Queen Victoria died, the diamond was added to the crown jewels.
Despite the monarchy claiming it was a "gift," India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran have all challenged British Royalty's ownership of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, claiming it was stolen from them.
The Tower of London website states: "The Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history."
However, Indian politician and former international civil servant Shashi Tharoor has called out Britain as 'ow[ing] its former colonies'.
"Instead of returning plundered patrimony to its rightful owners, the British are clinging to stolen artefacts such as the Kohinoor diamond, which they embedded in the Queen Mother’s tiara and shamelessly flaunt in the Tower of London," Tharoor said.
Calls have also grown for the Great Star of Africa - also known as Cullinan I and First Star of Africa - to be returned.
The Cullinan I diamond is set in the Sovereign Sceptre. Credit: The Print Collector / Alamy Stock Photo
The Great Star of Africa, the largest clear-cut diamond in the world, belongs to Queen Elizabeth II, according to a tweet from Africa Archives. The 530-carat stone was discovered back in 1905 in South Africa. The country of origin was South Africa. It is worth an estimated $400 million.
Queen Elizabeth II owns the largest clear cut diamond in the world Known as 'The Great Star of Africa' the 530 carats gem was mined in South Africa back in 1905. It was stolen from South Africa. It has an estimated worth of $400 million. pic.twitter.com/HesTmGTv4d
— Africa Archives ™ (@Africa_Archives) September 8, 2022
"The British claim that it was given to them as a symbol of friendship and peace yet it was during colonialism. The British then replaced the name 'The Great Star of Africa' with name of Chairman of Mine 'Thomas Cullinan'."
