King Charles III’s Visit to New York City

New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani expressed his intention to discuss India’s request for the return of precious diamonds from Britain’s crown jewels during his upcoming meeting with King Charles III.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in New York on Wednesday after a successful day in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. There, they delivered speeches alongside President Donald Trump, addressed Congress, and attended a dinner at the White House. Later, they visited the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan, where they paid tribute to the 67 British nationals lost in the attacks, many of whom were linked to companies in the World Trade Center.

During the visit, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who chairs the September 11 Memorial and Museum, hosted the king. Mayor Mamdani was among several officials and dignitaries gathered to meet with the royal couple, and while he and the king briefly exchanged pleasantries, Mamdani had previously indicated he intended to bring up his advocacy if the opportunity arose.

At a press conference earlier, Mayor Mamdani revealed that his primary focus was advocating for the Indian government rather than just New Yorkers. “If I were to speak separately to the king, perhaps I would suggest he consider returning the Koh-i-Noor diamond,” he said. The Koh-i-Noor, a massive 105-carat diamond once worn by Queen Victoria and Queen Mary, is claimed by several nations, including India and Pakistan. The movement to decolonize Western collections has gained traction among various groups.

After paying respects at the 9/11 memorial, the king went to an urban farm in Harlem focused on youth development, emphasizing the importance of skills for young people. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla visited the New York Public Library, engaging in her initiative to promote reading among children by reading “Winnie the Pooh” to a group of schoolkids, which notably included guests like Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour.