Coronation of Charles III: the diamond of the scepter claimed by South Africa

Charles III's coronation has reignited calls in South Africa for the return of the world's largest diamond, the centerpiece of a scepter the monarch will hold during the ceremony on Saturday. The Cullinan I, also known as the "Star of Africa", weighing 530 carats, was found in South Africa in 1905, then under British rule. It was offered by the colonial government, two years later, to King Edward VII for his birthday.

"All of South Africa's mineral wealth belongs to the South African people, not to a British palace," MP Vuyolwethu Zungula, leader of a small opposition party, told AFP on Thursday. “People have died, blood has been shed for these diamonds to find their way to Britain. The Star of Africa was cut from the 3,126-carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever mined, weighing 621 grams in the rough. Sent to Amsterdam, it was cut in two main stones, seven precious stones and 96 brilliants.

Many of these diamonds were set in the crown jewels, the others given to other members of the royal family. Since the end of apartheid, calls have been regularly made for its restitution, each time more urgent, as during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the country in 1995.

At the same time, the return of African artefacts from former colonial powers has intensified in recent years. "We want the Star of Africa back, and all the diamonds, gold and other minerals the British Empire stole from South Africa, WITHOUT COMPENSATION," ANC MP Carl Niehaus tweeted after the Queen's death in September. "We don't pay for stolen goods!" ”: An online petition urging King Charles to return the diamonds has received over 8,000 signatures. "As South Africans, we demand the return of our diamonds to be displayed in a museum," she says.