Margot Robbie sparks debate wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal diamond necklace
Photo: Reuters
The actor attended the January 28 premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre wearing a Schiaparelli haute couture gown inspired by classic Hollywood style. While the outfit itself was well received, it was Robbie’s jewellery choice that became the focus of public discussion.
Margot Robbie wore this diamond necklace to the "Wuthering Heights" premiere.
Its appearance reopened discussion about Western celebrities wearing heritage items taken from India — and India’s fight to reclaim them. pic.twitter.com/inlWrniMl0Robbie wore the heart-shaped Taj Mahal diamond necklace, a rare piece valued at an estimated $8 million. The jewel is mounted on a Cartier-designed gold and ruby chain and is considered one of the most historically notable diamonds to appear on a contemporary red carpet.
SPOTTED: Margot Robbie at the Wuthering Heights premiere wearing the Taj Mahal necklace.
Once a Mughal heirloom, the necklace’s later circulation through Hollywood underscores how colonial objects are rebranded as luxury. pic.twitter.com/7JR6idG2snAccording to jewellery historians, the diamond dates back to Mughal-era India and bears an inscription reading “Love is Everlasting,” along with the name of Mughal empress Nur Jahan. The jewel is believed to have been gifted by Emperor Jahangir to Nur Jahan and later associated with Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The diamond ultimately derived its name from this historical connection.
The jewel entered Western ownership centuries later. Cartier acquired the diamond in 1971 and redesigned it into an elaborate necklace featuring rubies, jade detailing, and adjustable gold tassels created by designer Alfred Durante. In 1972, the piece was introduced to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, after which Burton gifted the necklace to Taylor for her 40th birthday.
Speaking at the premiere, Robbie said the necklace felt appropriate for the evening due to its romantic history. She wore the piece styled as a choker, with the tassel draped down her back, mirroring Elizabeth Taylor’s original styling.
Following the event, reactions on social media were mixed. While many praised Robbie’s homage to Old Hollywood glamour, others—particularly commentators from India—raised concerns about how the jewel’s history was being framed. Some users objected to the necklace being identified primarily with Elizabeth Taylor, arguing that its Mughal origins were being overlooked.
Online discussions expanded into broader debates about cultural heritage, colonial-era artefacts, and the responsibility associated with showcasing historically significant jewellery on global platforms.