On May 6, 2023, King Charles III. to be crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey. This was announced by the royal family a few days ago. At the side of the monarch, his wife Camilla is also officially crowned Queen Consort. But in the run-up to the ceremony, there are now discussions about the crown that the 75-year-old could wear. You can choose from the jewel of Queen Elizabeth, also known as Queen Mum. She also became Queen Consort in May 1937 during the coronation of her husband, King George VI. But in the crown of the Queen Mother is the so-called Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is still the subject of diplomatic disputes to this day.
Should Camilla actually wear the crown with the controversial diamond at her coronation, it could “take some Indians back to the days of the British Empire” and would bring back “painful memories of the colonial past,” a spokesman for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party said British newspaper The Telegraph.
The stone, which is thousands of years old and weighs almost 110 carats, was given to Queen Victoria by the last Sikh Emperor of India in the mid-19th century. However, the circumstances of the donation are disputed and several countries, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, are claiming ownership of the diamond.
Queen Victoria initially wore the stone as a brooch. It was later incorporated into the crowns of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, and Queen Mary, wife of King George V. The last to present the controversial diamond in her crown was Queen Elizabeth, mother of the late Queen Elizabeth II. When Queen Mum died in 2002 at the age of 102, her coffin also featured the crown with the Koh-i-Noor diamonds The stone is part of the British Crown Jewels and is kept in the Tower of London. With the past three queen consorts choosing the Koh-i-Noor diamond crown at their coronations, it is speculated that Camilla may now do the same.
It is not yet clear whether Camilla will choose this crown or another jewel from the royal estate, the “Telegraph” quotes royal sources as saying. It is also possible that a new crown will be made especially for the occasion. King Charles III and his employees are aware that they have to take current sensitivities into account. Discussions surrounding the coronation come amid strained relations between Britain and India. A trade deal planned by the new Prime Minister Liz Truss is in danger of collapsing.
If Camilla is actually wearing the controversial crown, there is another possibility: the Koh-i-Noor diamond is set in the front and is set in a removable platinum setting. So it could be removed and replaced with another stone. However, this would not solve the debate about the origin and a possible return.
Sources: The Telegraph, Daily Mail
