Margot Robbie’s necklace sparks debate on Mughal heritage

Story by ATV | Posted by Ashhar Alam | Date 02-02-2026

Margot Robbie's necklace: A debate on Mughal heritage and colonial questions.

Aamir Iqbal

Hollywood superstar Margot Robbie didn’t just grab attention at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film Wuthering Heights because of her acting or fashion, but because of the necklace she wore, which became the center of a debate about history and heritage.

This was no ordinary piece of jewelry. According to fashion magazine Vogue, the necklace is linked to Mughal-era India and is known as the Taj Mahal Diamond Necklace. It once belonged to legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor and is a priceless historical heirloom.

Robbie wore a special designer dress by Schiaparelli, but all eyes were on the priceless necklace around her neck. The pendant is made of a heart-shaped diamond set in jade and is adorned with gold, rubies, and smaller diamonds. On the piece is a Persian inscription reading “Love endures forever”, along with the name of Empress Nur Jahan.

Historians say this jewel was given by Mughal Emperor Jahangir to his wife Nur Jahan as a symbol of love and devotion. Later it came into the possession of Mumtaz Mahal, which is why it became associated with the Taj Mahal.

Over time, this heirloom left India and traveled abroad. It spent many years in Europe before being acquired by the luxury jeweler Cartier. Cartier redesigned it and in 1972 the company’s president presented it to Elizabeth Taylor as a gift from her husband, Richard Burton. After Taylor’s death, the necklace was sold at auction in 2011 for around $8.8 million, then a record price for an Indian jewelry piece.

After Margot Robbie wore the necklace, a new debate has emerged: on social media and among history lovers, people are questioning how such precious and historic jewelry associated with India ended up outside the country. India continues its efforts to reclaim many priceless treasures, including the famous Koh‑i‑Noor diamond.

This fusion of fashion and history didn’t remain just about outer glamour. The necklace highlighted India’s artistic heritage, Mughal-era jewelry design, and the journey of cultural artifacts from India to Europe. It reminds us not only of Nur Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, but also of the story of how these treasures traveled across continents.

Margot Robbie’s decision to wear the Taj Mahal Diamond Necklace became more than a style statement, it sparked a conversation about history, love, empire, and the protection and preservation of India’s cultural heritage.