Kareena Kapoor Khan’s turban features a diamond kalgi with century-old royal history

The festival of lights has been celebrated with fanfare across the stars of Bollywood but only one of them managed to give it a royal touch. Kareena Kapoor Khan lent her Diwali look with a bit of royal history by adding in a rather unique accessory: a pearl-draped turban adorned with a magnificent diamond kalgi. However this wasn't any ordinary accessory or piece of jewellery that she paired with her outfit. More than a statement piece, the ornament is believed to be a Pataudi family heirloom that connects the former royal house of Bhopal and the British royal court. Featuring three feather-like motifs set with diamonds and four rows of pearls, the jewel reportedly carries historic value that spans several generations. HELLO! India goes in for a glimpse of the history behind Kareena's royal Diwali look.

(Also Read: Royal heritage goes from the palace to the boardroom)

Connection to the Prince of Wales

One of the most distinctive details of the ornament is the three-feather motif, which reportedly references the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales. The emblem features three feathers emerging from a coronet, accompanied by the motto Ich Dien, meaning “I serve”. Its origins are traced to the 14th century and Edward, the Black Prince, and it remains one of the most recognisable symbols associated with the title.

The kalgi's reported connection to the emblem is linked to Hamidullah Khan's association with Edward, Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1921 - 1922. Hamidullah served as an honorary aide-de-camp to the Prince during this period, and the royal visit to Bhopal in February 1922 is documented in the Royal Collection's historical archive. The diamond ornament is understood to translate the three-feather insignia into an Indian royal jewellery form, merging a British heraldic reference with the native traditions of the Indian princely courts.

(Also Read: Meet the Gen Z royals redefining modern monarchy)

From the Nawab of Bhopal to the Pataudi family

The journey of the kalgi is believed to be closely connected to the history of Bhopal's royal family. Hamidullah Khan's daughter, Begum Sajida Sultan, married Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi. Their son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, went on to become one of India's most celebrated cricketers and married actor Sharmila Tagore, who has thre children; son, Saif Ali Khan and daughters, Soha Alia Khan and Saba Ali Khan. Sajida Sultan succeeded her father following his death in 1960, becoming the recognised successor to the former ruler of Bhopal. Her place in the family history makes the reported passage of the ornament particularly significant. This kalgi is question is thus reported to have moved from Hamidullah Khan to Sajida Sultan and subsequently to Saif Ali Khan through the familial generations. The jewel is also said to have made an appearance at Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan's wedding in 2012, when Saif wore the family kalgi.

Its recent appearance on Kareena's beige turban brings the heirloom back into the spotlight, this time styled as the focal point of her festive ensemble. She paired the look with a chandi kaftan and turban by Punit Balana and further accessorised the look with the Begum of Bhopal’s historic 30-carat emerald on her neck, carved with the Ayat-ul-Kursi.

The combination of the soft ivory turban, cascading pearls, diamond ornament and emerald heart gives the look a distinctly regal character. Her choice of accessory brought this historic form of adornment into a contemporary setting. 

(Also Read: Sonam announces her pregnancy with Princess Diana nod)