In South Africa, calls for the British royal family to return the world’s largest known clear-cut diamond have increased following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Known as the Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I, this diamond is cut from a larger gemstone mined in South Africa in 1905 and handed over to the British Crown by the South African colonial authorities. It is now attached to the Queen’s scepter.
After the Queen’s death, calls for the return of the African Great Star and other diamonds have intensified, along with calls for their repatriation. Many South Africans believe that the acquisition of gemstones by the UK is illegal.
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A royal gift or a ‘stolen’ diamond?
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the crown of the British Empire and holding the orb and scepter after her coronation. credit: Halton Archive/Getty Images
“It was sent to Usher in Amsterdam for tearing in 1908,” he added.
Royal Usher supports the British monarch’s claim to the gem, explaining that the gem was purchased by the Transvaal government in South Africa (under British rule) and given to King Edward VII as a birthday present.
Everisto Benyera, professor of African politics at the University of South Africa, denies this theory. “The colonial trade is illegal and immoral,” he told CNN.
“Our story is that the entire South African Transvaal and Coalition governments and associated mining syndicates were illegal,” Beniera said, claiming: Private (mining) companies, the Transvaal government, and the British Empire were part of a larger network of colonies. ”
Queen’s death brings back painful memories of British colonialism
According to Royal Usher, the Cullinan diamond was cut into 9 large stones and 96 small stones. The largest of the stones was named the Great Star of Africa by Edward VII. King Edward VII named the second largest cut stone the Small Star of Africa.
The larger diamond was cross-set in the king’s scepter and the second cut stone was attached to the emperor’s crown. Queen Elizabeth II is seen in many of her portraits wearing these diamonds.
Leigh-Ann Mathys, national spokeswoman for South Africa’s opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), told CNN, “The late Queen of Great Britain has been flaunting these (diamonds) for more than half a century.
Mathys accused British colonial rulers of stealing Aboriginal lands and occupying mines.
“Our call is repatriation for all thefts of the colonies, of which the theft of the great stars of Africa is a part,” she said.
“This means that there was a valid agreement in that the British royal family borrowed the diamonds, and therefore will not demand their return. As a result, it’s purely owned by them, even elsewhere,” Mattis told CNN.
