(Web Desk) — Hollywood actress Margot Robbie has sparked fresh discussion around fashion, history, and colonial heritage after wearing a rare historic necklace at the Los Angeles premiere of her upcoming film Wuthering Heights.
According to Vogue magazine, the necklace is no ordinary piece of jewellery but a centuries-old diamond necklace attributed to Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, often referred to as the “Taj Mahal Diamond.” The necklace was previously owned by legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Margot Robbie’s film Wuthering Heights is set to be released on February 13, starring Jacob Elordi alongside her in lead roles. The film is based on Emily Brontë’s classic Gothic novel and has been reimagined against the bleak landscapes of Yorkshire.
For the premiere, Robbie wore a bespoke couture outfit by renowned designer Schiaparelli, but it was the historic necklace around her neck that drew widespread attention. The piece features a heart-shaped diamond set in jade, suspended from a chain crafted with gold, rubies, and diamonds.
Vogue reported that the necklace bears an inscription in Persian, translating to “Love endures forever,” along with the name of Empress Noor Jahan engraved on it.
Historically, the necklace is believed to have been gifted by Mughal Emperor Jahangir to his wife Noor Jahan as a symbol of love. The jewel later passed to Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, and due to this royal connection, it came to be known as the Taj Mahal Diamond.
Centuries later, the necklace reached European luxury jeweller Cartier, where it was redesigned. In 1972, Cartier’s president presented it to Elizabeth Taylor as a gift from her husband Richard Burton. Following Taylor’s death in 2011, the necklace was sold at auction for $8.8 million, setting a record at the time for an Indian jewellery item.
Margot Robbie wearing the necklace has reignited debate over colonial-era artefacts taken out of India. The jewel is among thousands of historical treasures removed during colonial rule, as India continues to demand the return of its cultural heritage from Britain and other countries, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond.