[Videos below.] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew criticism Wednesday after offering what observers described as a notably restrained welcome to King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their visit to the city, a departure from the warm receptions traditionally extended by past mayors.

Although Mamdani appeared cordial while greeting Charles at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the interaction followed remarks he made earlier in the day suggesting he would urge the monarch to return a controversial diamond tied to Britain’s colonial past.

The 77-year-old king, making his first visit to New York in nearly two decades, smiled as he shook Mamdani’s hand and said, “Thank you,” after participating in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring victims of the September 11 attacks.

The brief exchange between the mayor and the king appeared friendly on the surface, as they spoke for a short time while Michael Bloomberg, who chairs the memorial, stood nearby. Members of the press were kept at a distance, according to video footage.

Details of their conversation were not disclosed. A spokesperson for City Hall said only that the two leaders “exchanged pleasantries.” Mamdani departed the event roughly an hour after arriving.

Earlier, during a separate press appearance, the 34-year-old democratic socialist was asked what message he might deliver if given the opportunity to speak with the king.

“If I was to speak to the king… I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond,” Mamdani quipped — referring to one of the worlds’ largest cut diamonds, which was taken from India and is now part of the British Crown Jewels.

The Kohinoor diamond, weighing 105 carats and housed in the Tower of London, has a long and turbulent history, having passed between rulers over centuries. It is widely viewed by critics as a relic of imperial conquest, with some even describing it as “cursed.”

Mamdani’s tone toward the royal visit drew backlash from some political observers, who argued that the mayor’s approach was inappropriate for such a diplomatic occasion.

“The sitting mayor of New York City shouldn’t give us a history lesson while politicizing the visit of the sitting King of England. He should’ve enthusiastically welcomed him, not reluctantly,” said Ken Frydman, a Democratic operative and former spokesman for former mayor Rudy Giuliani.

“We know the history,” he added. “No one has forgotten colonialism.”

Another longtime political figure said Mamdani missed an opportunity to showcase hospitality, especially if he hopes to follow in the footsteps of admired predecessors.

“Mamdani should have invited the royals to Gracie Mansion. The royals are very popular in this country,” said George Arzt, who served as press secretary to former Mayor Ed Koch.

“LaGuardia met the royals and wined and dined them. If he wants to emulate LaGuardia, he should do what LaGuardia did with the royals.”

Historical precedent underscores the contrast. Fiorello LaGuardia personally welcomed King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, escorting them through the city and encouraging public participation in their visit.

In 1957, Robert Wagner organized a ticker-tape parade for Queen Elizabeth II, while Abe Beame’s family welcomed her with flowers during a later visit.

When Queen Elizabeth II returned in 2010, Bloomberg delivered a glowing speech highlighting the historic ties between New York and the British monarchy.

‘[We’re] ’grateful for your friendship, leadership and support,” Bloomberg gushed to her at the British Garden at Hanover Square, the last stop on her one-day tour that also included a speech at the United Nations and a similar ceremony at Ground Zero.

Bloomberg and Giuliani were later honored by the late queen with knighthoods.

Mamdani’s handling of the current visit stood in contrast even before the event began. He initially declined to confirm whether he would attend the memorial ceremony, only announcing days later that he would be present, while making minimal mention of the royal guests.

“I will be attending the wreath-laying … to pay tribute to the more than 3,000 who were killed in the horrific terror attacks of Sept. 11,” Mamdani said Monday. “And that will be the extent of my meeting with the king and with others who are present.”

The mayor’s ideological views, including his criticism of British imperial history — which he has described as a “story of oppression, subjugation and discrimination” — have further shaped perceptions of his stance toward the monarchy.

Meanwhile, political alliances surrounding Mamdani have also drawn attention. Jeremy Corbyn and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, both left-leaning members of the British Parliament, met with local allies in New York during the visit. Corbyn, who previously faced allegations of antisemitism, had volunteered for Mamdani’s campaign.

At Wednesday’s press conference, Mamdani reiterated his focus on the solemn purpose of the day when asked again about his message to the king.

“If you have a moment to chat with King Charles today down at the World Trade Center Memorial, how do you deepen your role as mayor? Do you see it as being sort of a polite, diplomatic moment? You just say hello and welcome, or is there anything else you can say to him? Do you have a specific message you might want to deliver?” the reporter asked.

The mayor replied, “I’ll be attending a wreath laying alongside a number of other elected officials, including Governor [Kathy] Hochul and Governor [Mikie] Sherrill. And the focus of that wreath laying is to honor the more than 3,000 New Yorkers who were killed in the horrific terror attacks of September 11, and that’s what I’m really looking to do at that event.”

Pressed further, he returned to his earlier remark.

“You haven’t thought about anything you might say?”

“If I was to speak to the king, separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor Diamond,” Mamdani responded.

Later, King Charles and Queen Camilla were escorted into the memorial by Bloomberg, where they placed white flowers near the reflecting pools and observed a moment of silence.

The couple, dressed in coordinated navy attire, also spent time with families of victims from the September 11 attacks. Uniformed firefighters and police officers stood nearby during the visit.

They greeted Hochul and Sherrill before meeting Mamdani, appearing to spend a somewhat longer moment in conversation with the mayor than with other officials.

Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the memorial, described the visit as deeply meaningful.

“9/11 was an attack on people around the world. It hit hardest here in New York City, but 67 citizens of the United Kingdom were killed on that day. People from 90 countries were killed along with all the Americans,” she told The NY Post.

“It’s an important way to demonstrate resilience, to demonstrate unity and to remind people of the ways we can come together and that seems something that the Crown has worked to do.”

Charles’ trip marked his first return to New York since visiting with Queen Elizabeth II in 2007, when they toured Harlem’s Promise Academy and interacted with students.

The previous visit by a reigning British monarch came in 2010, when Queen Elizabeth II traveled to Ground Zero during a severe heat wave to lay a wreath.

That visit closely mirrored the current one, as she was joined by Bloomberg and then-Gov. David Paterson, and met with families of first responders who lost their lives in the attacks.

{Matzav.com}