NYC mayor says King Charles should return a crown jewel to India, just before meeting him

Asked what he'd say to the King in a hypothetical 1-1, New York City's mayor says he'd encourage him to return a crown jewel to India. Buckingham Palace declined comment.

New York City Mayor  Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday that if he had a one-on-one with King Charles III, he'd suggest the British monarch return a crown jewel to India.

"I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor," Mamdani said, referring to a 105.6-carat gem that the East India Company took from a deposed Indian leader in 1849 as a condition of a peace agreement.

The Koh-i-Noor, one of the world's most famous diamonds, is set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in the Tower of London.

The comment came about two hours before the mayor was expected to greet Charles and Queen Camilla at a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. The two were later seen all smiles as they shook hands.

Mamdani referenced the diamond earlier in the day, after an unrelated announcement, when he was directly asked what he'd say to the king in a hypothetical private meeting.

Initially, he dodged the question, but when pressed by NBC New York on whether he had even thought about it, the mayor commented on the Koh-i-Noor. More on the jewel here.

Mamdani didn't elaborate. His team moved on to the next press question.

Buckingham Palace declined comment.

Ownership of the Koh-i-Noor has been controversial.