Qatari Royals Battle in UK Court Over $27 Million ‘Idol’s Eye’ Diamond: Historic Gem Sparks Family Feud
Qatari Royals Battle in UK Court: A high-stakes dispute over the famed “Idol’s Eye” diamond, valued at millions, has erupted in London’s High Court as two branches of Qatar’s royal family vie for the right to purchase the historic 70-carat gemstone. Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, an art collector and cousin to Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is pursuing a legal bid through his company QIPCO to secure what he claims is an established right to buy the diamond from Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani’s estate.
The “Idol’s Eye” diamond, a legendary blue-tinted gem, was initially acquired by Sheikh Saud—Qatar’s minister of culture from 1997 to 2005—in the early 2000s, adding to his collection as one of the world’s most prominent art collectors. Before his death in 2014, Sheikh Saud had loaned the diamond to QIPCO, with a provisional agreement allowing the company to potentially purchase it, contingent upon consent from Elanus Holdings, the legal entity managing Sheikh Saud’s estate. Ownership of Elanus ultimately resides with the Liechtenstein-based Al Thani Foundation, managed by Sheikh Saud’s widow and their three children.
Disputed Value of the Idol’s Eye Diamond
QIPCO’s lawyers claim that a 2020 letter from the Al Thani Foundation’s attorney constituted an agreement to sell the diamond to QIPCO for $10 million. Elanus, however, contests this, with lawyer Sa’ad Hossain arguing the letter was mistakenly issued, explaining that Sheikh Saud’s son, Sheikh Hamad bin Saud Al Thani, was merely exploring a possible sale and had not received formal approval from the foundation’s beneficiaries. The foundation’s diamond expert has reportedly valued the gem at around $27 million—a figure that QIPCO’s legal team argues inflates the diamond’s fair market price.
As the court proceedings unfold, the case highlights not only the high financial stakes of Qatar’s royal family but also the historical allure and complexity surrounding one of the world’s most famous diamonds. The outcome could impact how similar assets within royal collections are handled in the future, particularly those with significant cultural and familial importance.
