What is the Koh-i-Noor diamond in Queen Camilla's crown worth and why is it controversial? | The Sun

CAMILLA will be wearing the historic crown encrusted with 2,800 diamonds, including the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor when King Charles is coronated in 2023.

Here is all you need to know about the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond including its worth.

What is the Koh-i-Noor diamond worth?

There was never an exact value given to the Koh-i-Noor diamond, however, it is believed that it costs so much, that in the 1500s it was considered to cost as much as half of the world's totaly productions costs in a day.

The diamond is so unique, that is has been difficult to pin a monetary value on it, and it is estimated to be between €140 to €400 million.

It was made for the Queen Mother, then Queen Elizabeth, for her husband King George VI's coronation in 1937.

It boasts a platinum frame set with thousands of diamonds, many from Victoria's Regal Circlet, as well as one of the world's largest jewels.

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The Koh-i-Noor diamond had been successively mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and was once again reset for this crown.

The Turkish stone was a gift from Sultan Abdul Medjid as a gesture of gratitude for British support during the Crimean War.

The crown, which weighs 510g and was designed by Garrard & Co, is currently on display at the Tower of London but will supposedly be placed on Camilla's head for Charles' coronation.

The late Queen revealed her "sincere wish" that the Duchess of Cornwall is known as Queen Consort in an address marking her Accession Day.

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Her Majesty wrote: "I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.

"And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.

"And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."

Charles and Camilla are said to be “touched and honoured” by the decision.

However, there is uncertainty on whether Camilla will wear the crown, given the ongoing ownership dispute.

Royal sources claimed that there is "significant nervousness" after India and other countries in the regions such as Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan are claiming that the diamond belongs to them, the Daily Mail reported.

A source said: "The original plan was for the Queen Consort to be crowned with the late Queen Mother's crown when her husband acceded to the throne.

"That was certainly the agreement a few years ago when the whole idea of the Duchess of Cornwall becoming Queen Consort was first mooted.

"But times have changed and His Majesty The King is acutely sensitive to these issues, as are his advisors.

"There are serious political sensitivities and significant nervousness around them, particularly regarding India."

The crown is a symbol of the Empire and colonialism for many and can cause a significant upset when it is paraded across the world stage.

A possible would be removing the diamond from the crown before use.

Author of Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond, William Dalrymple, said: "It is not a small sensitive issue in the eyes of India. 

"It is a massive diplomatic grenade.

"There is an expectation that this is an issue that will come back.

"Colonialism is over, Britain wants to make friends with India, it is a major new rising power.

"This tiny stone, which is actually not that big has come to take the whole weight of colonisation on its shoulder.

"It has become this very, very sensitive object and is a major issue now between the two countries."

Political commentator Saurav Dutt, told The Mail: "Ensuring the Koh-i-Noor remains front and centre in the public eye in this way flies in the face of any attempt by the Royal Family and political orthodoxies to draw a line under the dispossession, prejudice, plunder and exploitation that imperialism revelled in.

"Such a position is at odds with the modern, egalitarian stance the Royals seek to present themselves within a world that seeks to move on from the ugliest chapters of history that they benefited from."

The honour of Queen Consort is a major U-turn given that Camilla took the lesser title Princess Consort when she married Charles 17 years ago. 

At the time, royal officials believed there was too much public animosity towards Camilla — married to Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973 to 1995 — following the death of Diana.

Queen Consort was the title held by the Queen Mother when wife of King George VI. 

The reigning monarch is technically known as Queen Regnum.

A source stressed: "This is Her Majesty’s wish.

"She’s spent 70 years on the throne and is pretty clear on what she does and doesn’t want."

Charles and Camilla married in a private civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in April 2005. 

Aides said at the time Camilla “intended” to be known as Princess Consort, the first in British history. 

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The careful use of “intended” left this open to change in the future.

And any mention of Princess Consort was removed from Charles’s website during a revamp in 2018.

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