Margot Robbie made a stunning appearance at the world premiere of her new film Wuthering Heights in Los Angeles, donning a striking Schiaparelli couture gown. However, it was the legendary Cartier Taj Mahal diamond necklace she wore that captured the spotlight. Once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, the necklace is estimated to be worth around $8.8 million (approximately Rs 74 crore) and features a heart-shaped, table-cut diamond engraved with the phrase “Love is Everlasting.”
Speaking to the media, Robbie highlighted that the necklace had belonged to Elizabeth Taylor and was loaned to her by Cartier for the premiere. She did not, however, mention the necklace’s origins in India.
Historic Roots of the Necklace
According to historical sources, including an Instagram post by The Juggernaut, the necklace has a centuries-old legacy. It was originally gifted by Mughal Emperor Jehangir to his wife, Empress Nur Jahan, and later passed to their son, Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan presented it to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built. The diamond features inscriptions noting Nur Jahan’s name, her title “Lady of the Padshah,” and the regnal year 23 (circa 1627–28 AD).
The jewel eventually made its way to the United States, where actor Richard Burton purchased it for Elizabeth Taylor’s 40th birthday. In recent years, Cartier acquired the necklace at auction for $8.8 million.
Public Reaction
Many social media users criticized Robbie for not acknowledging the necklace’s Indian origins. One comment pointed out the Persian inscription, saying: “So when exactly did Elizabeth Taylor become ‘Nur Jahan’? Anyone who can read Persian or Urdu can see the engraving: ‘Nur Jahan Begum Padshah 1037 AH.’ This was a gift from Jahangir, the 4th Mughal Emperor, to his wife Nur Jahan.”
Others called for the necklace to be returned to India, reflecting ongoing debates about the provenance of historical artifacts taken during colonial and post-colonial periods.