New ‘Guardian’ Report Uncovers Extent of Stolen Jewels From India in Royal Collection
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The royal family owns a vast collection of priceless crowns, orbs, and scepters known as the crown jewels, which are about to get a moment in the spotlight thanks to King Charles’s upcoming coronation. But unfortunately, many of the precious gems festooning these items were stolen during Britain’s colonization of India.
While the much-discussed Koh-i-Noor diamond is infamous for being stolen by the British, The Guardian just dropped a new report uncovering the full extent of stolen jewels from India that are still in the royal collection. Its source material? A 46-page file from 1912 found in the archives of Britain’s “India Office,” which covers an investigation ordered by Queen Mary (Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother) into the “imperial origins of her jewels.”
The report details how multiple “priceless pieces” were taken from India and given to Queen Victoria, including a “gold girdle” inlaid with 19 emeralds that Prince Charles put on exhibit for his 70th birthday, which originally belonged to a maharaja.
The Guardian even found an 1837 journal from a “society diarist” who, while speaking of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s bejeweled horses, wrote, “If ever we are allowed to plunder this kingdom, I shall go straight to their stables.”
As The Guardian notes, Singh’s heir “was forced to sign over the Punjab to the conquering forces of the British East India Company,” and in addition to the horses’ jewels, the Koh-i-Noor diamond was plundered. There’s also speculation that one of the late Queen’s favorite pearl strand necklaces was taken from Singh.
FYI, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told The Guardian that slavery and colonialism are matters that “his Majesty takes profoundly seriously,” but…none of these jewels have been returned, sooooo.
Read The Guardian’s full article here.
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