In the dazzling world of high fashion and pop culture, controversies often arise where history meets celebrity. One such instance unfolded recently, when a Cartier necklace worn by American internet personality Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala resurfaced conversations about colonial loot, cultural appropriation, and lost heritage — particularly within the Indian and Punjabi communities. The controversy escalated when Indian superstar Diljit Dosanjh subtly but powerfully addressed the matter, sparking a global conversation.
The Necklace in Question: A Royal Legacy
The necklace at the center of this storm is none other than the Patiala Necklace, once belonging to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, one of the richest royals in colonial India. Commissioned in 1928, the piece was crafted by Cartier using the De Beers diamond, the seventh-largest diamond in the world at the time, along with hundreds of other stones.
Following India’s independence and the princely state’s decline, the necklace mysteriously disappeared in the late 1940s. Decades later, fragments of it were found in a Cartier boutique in London, having been stripped of many of its original stones.
Emma Chamberlain & the Met Gala Appearance
At the 2022 Met Gala, Emma Chamberlain, as Cartier’s brand ambassador, wore a reassembled version of the historic necklace. The piece — uncredited as the Patiala Necklace in most mainstream Western media — drew admiration on red carpets and fashion blogs, but deep discomfort within Indian circles. Many accused Cartier of profiting from colonial spoils without acknowledgment or restitution.
While Chamberlain herself may not have been aware of the necklace’s origins, her wearing it symbolized the West’s ongoing relationship with the spoils of empire — particularly when used as mere fashion statements.
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Diljit Dosanjh’s Response: A Voice for Punjab
Enter Diljit Dosanjh, a global Punjabi music and film icon known for his cultural pride and political consciousness. While he didn’t directly name Chamberlain or Cartier, Dosanjh’s social media posts and recent interviews dropped pointed references to the “Maharajas who were robbed in broad daylight,” and the “legacy of Punjab being paraded in foreign lands.”
During one of his international tour performances, Dosanjh included visuals of Punjab’s royal past, accompanied by poetic narration in Punjabi referencing loss and identity. Fans connected these symbolic gestures directly to the Patiala Necklace controversy, praising him for speaking up where many remained silent.
The Larger Issue: Colonial Artifacts & Repatriation
The outrage surrounding the Cartier-Patiala situation taps into a larger global movement: the demand for repatriation of stolen artifacts. From the Koh-i-Noor diamond to sculptures in the British Museum, former colonies are increasingly asking for the return of what was taken — often under coercion, if not outright theft.
Critics argue that institutions like Cartier, by loaning such pieces to celebrities without context or acknowledgment, whitewash history and continue to exploit marginalized narratives for profit. There have been growing calls for Cartier to return or donate the necklace (or its remains) to a museum in India, ideally in Punjab.
Conclusion: A Cultural Reckoning
The incident involving Emma Chamberlain, Cartier, and the Patiala Necklace is not just a fashion faux pas; it’s a poignant reminder of unresolved historical wounds. While Chamberlain herself may not be at fault, the lack of transparency from Cartier and the casual display of a once-sacred Indian royal heirloom ignited justified anger.
Artists like Diljit Dosanjh, using their platforms to amplify these issues, are reshaping how we discuss cultural appropriation, historical justice, and national pride in the global arena. Whether or not this results in tangible change — such as restitution or formal acknowledgment — remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the world is paying attention now.
