King Charles’ NYC visit brings traffic, tight press access and a diamond dig from Mamdani

King Charles III effectively reigned over Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, bringing traffic chaos, a heavy police presence, and press restrictions to the 9/11 Memorial — where Mayor Zohran Mamdani greeted the British monarch hours after saying he might urge him to return a crown jewel long disputed as a product of colonial conquest if the two spoke privately.

Footage from inside the event showed Mamdani and Charles shaking hands and briefly conversing before the king’s press secretary pushed cameras back. A source familiar with the exchange said the pair “exchanged pleasantries.”