King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their coronation.Leon Neal/Getty Images
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla wore many of the royal family's Crown Jewels at their coronation.
- Critics say the some of the large gems represent the British empire's dark history of imperialism.
Ahead of King Charles III's coronation, Buckingham Palace assured the public that Queen Camilla would not wear the highly controversial Koh-i-Noor Diamond during the festivities.
Instead, she sported the Cullinan Diamonds, a collection of gems associated with Britain's colonial history in South Africa, and the Lahore Diamond, another controversial gem.
For many in the now-independent former colonies of British rule, these diamonds, along with others in the royal family's collection of Crown Jewels, are a reminder of the painful history of exploitation.
Buckingham Palace didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment for this story.
Though the Koh-i-Noor Diamond's origins are unknown, its first appearance in written record was in 1628.
Portrait of Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) and his son. Sepia Times/Getty Images
Emperor of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan, encrusted his regal throne with the Timur Ruby and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, two of the most valued gems of all time, Smithsonian magazine reported.
The empire stretched throughout present-day India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Eastern Afghanistan. At the time, the Mughal Empire was one of the wealthiest and most powerful parts of the world — modern-day India was the greatest source of diamonds and gems for centuries.
In 1739, the Persian Empire invaded Mughal's capital of Delhi and left with hordes of gold and gems, including the Kohinoor diamond which the emperor incorporated into an ornate armband.
In the 1800s, the Koh-i-Noor Diamond was included in the inheritance of the prince of the Sikh empire.
Maharaja of the Sikh Empire Duleep Singh (1838-1893). John Jabez Edwin Mayall / Stringer
Determined to obtain the jewel of India, the East India Company imprisoned the mother of then-10-year-old Prince Duleep Singh in 1849, Smithsonian magazine reported.
He was forced to sign a treaty that would turn the gem, along with most of his family's riches, over to them in exchange for his mother's safe return.
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond was a prized possession of Queen Victoria and has been incorporated into the crowns of queens over the past century.
Portrait of Queen Victoria in 1887. Alexander Bassano Collection/Getty Images
Calls for its return to India rose since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, Smithsonian and Time reported.
The Lahore Diamond became "property of the state" when the East India Company usurped Fort Lahore in modern-day Pakistan in 1849.
Queen Elizabeth II after her Coronation in 1953. Bettmann
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1905, is the largest diamond discovered in recorded history.
King George V and Queen Mary dressed for their first State Opening of Parliament in 1911. Queen Mary is wearing the four largest Cullinan diamonds. Royal Collection Trust
The Cullinan Diamond was cut into nine pieces.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla traveled in the Gold State Coach after the coronation. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The Black Prince's Ruby is the centerpiece for the Imperial State Crown, a three-pound, 2,901-stone-studded headpiece.
King Charles and Queen Camilla on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The Imperial State Crown features the Black Prince's Ruby. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
It's actually not a ruby but a gem-quality spinel.
The Black Prince's Ruby is believed to originate from the Badakhshan mines of present-day Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Portrait of Prince Edward striking a deal to provide refuge for King Pedro in exchange for his riches. The exchange brought the Black Prince's Ruby into the British Royal Family's possession. Print Collector/Getty Images
The jewel is said to have been stolen by King Pedro of Castile and Leon from the Sultan of Grenada, Harper's Bazaar reported.
Later, Pedro was offered refuge by Black Prince Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son and heir apparent of King Edward III of England, in exchange for the riches that included the 170-carat gem.
The Black Prince's Ruby was also notably worn during battle by Henry V, Richard III, and Henry VIII.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
It was later incorporated into the Imperial State Crown in 1838, Harper's reported.
The future of the royal collection and cultural archives hangs in the balance as the new king is met with increased calls for repatriation.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images