Did you know that the necklace that Queens/ Queen Consorts of the United Kingdom wear on their own or their husbands' coronation or at the state functions is known as the Lahore Diamond Necklace?
When the British entered the Lahore Fort in 1849 they found a treasure beyond their wildest imagination. We all know about the Koh-i-Noor that the British took away but there was a lot more in there than just the Koh-i-Noor. The list of items in the 'Toshakhana' of the Fort was handed over to Dr. John Login, the Administrator of the fort. Based on the old list, he made a new list of the treasure inside for the 'honorable' East India Company which included, among other items, the Koh-i-Noor, five bags of diamonds, 134 large gharras of gold jewelry and precious stones, a whole store of expensive and rare Cashmere shawls and choghas, relics of Holy Prophet (PBUH) (including his shoes, walking stick, shirt, cap as well as several locks of his hair).
This is only a fraction of the wealth they took away from Lahore. From the bags of diamonds was made the Lahore diamond necklace for Queen Victoria. The Queen had this necklace made in 1858 from 28 stones that she had removed from Garter Badge and a ceremonial sword, also from Lahore. The necklace added up to 161 carats, making it the most expensive necklace in the world with nine largest stones weighing between 8 and 11 carats and the pendant stone, weighing 22.5 carats (cut down from the original 103 carats). That pendant stone is the Lahore Diamond hence the name of the necklace. Till date, this necklace is among the most expensive necklaces in the world.
So every time the Queen of England steps out in all her royalty for state functions adorning the Lahore Diamond necklace, you can afford a meek smile for you know where her so-called royalty comes from.
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