The decision for Queen Camilla not to wear a particular diamond at the Coronation has been branded “woke” by the family who gifted it to the British Empire. King Charles had wanted Camilla to wear the Koh-i-Noor diamond, gifted to Queen Victoria in 1849 by the family of a Sikh emperor. However, it was decided it would not be worn over fears it could anger those who want it returned to them. But a descendent of the previous owner said he feels “insulted” it won’t be included in the ceremony.
Dr Jaswinder Singh Sukherchakia told MailOnline they would “not have had an issues” with Camilla wearing the diamond, which is placed in Queen Victoria’s crown.
A descendant of the jewel’s previous owner, he said: “I don’t understand why people are being so over-sensitive because you cannot change history.
“If we wouldn’t have been offended by it then I don’t understand why anybody else would be. We wish Camilla and Charles all the best. I will be watching the coronation on television and was actually looking forward to seeing the Koh-i-Noor and feel quite insulted that it won’t be there.”
Dr Sukherchakia said the “world should get to see” the diamond which was gifted to the late Queen Mother by Maharajah Ranjit Singh.
Speaking from his home in India he said: “A lot of people wouldn’t expect us to take this position on the diamond and the coronation. But as we are the ones carrying our royal ancestor’s legacy and blood, perhaps they should listen to us.’
“The world should get to see it on May 6 but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a mature debate about its ownership and where it really belongs, which for us, is not with the British Royal Family.”
But not everyone has the same view as the Indian government has demanded the return of the stone following a long row over who is the rightful owner.
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The government said the Coronation and the use of the diamond “brings back painful memories of the colonial past” and “transports a few Indians back to the days of the British Empire in India”.
The diamond was last on display following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002 when it was placed on top of her coffin.
It was placed in the crown in 1937 ahead of George VI’s Coronation and remains there today.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, which translates to “Mountain of Light” is one of the world’s largest cut diamonds, weighing 105.6 carats
Camilla will be the first consort to reuse a crown at a coronation instead of commissioning a new one.
She will be wearing Queen Mary’s crown instead.
It was revealed that Camilla had chosen her firend Bruce Oldfield to design her Coronation dress, whcih is expected to reflect the times and be more modern that previous occassions.
It is unclear wether the King and Queen will break from tradition and chose not to wear ceremonial robes throughout as Charles is said to want a more modern occassion.
