Qatari Royals in Legal Dispute Over Ownership of £21 Million 'Idol's Eye' Diamond

The High Court case involves a contested sale agreement between family members of the Al-Thani dynasty over a historic gemstone.

The 'Idol's Eye' diamond, a 70-carat blue-tinged gemstone, is at the center of a legal battle between Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and the family of the late Sheikh Saoud bin Mohammed Ali Al Thani.
Sheikh Hamad claims he has the right to purchase the diamond for £7.8 million based on a 2020 letter indicating a wish to sell, which Elanus Holdings, the family foundation, argues was a mistake.
The diamond, previously owned by an Ottoman sultan and American jeweler Harry Winston, was bought by Sheikh Saoud in 2004 and is currently held by Elanus for inheritance purposes.
Elanus contends that the family had not agreed to sell the diamond and that the letter was sent without proper consultation or authority.
The court case hinges on whether the letter constituted a binding agreement to sell the diamond, with Qipco seeking to enforce the sale at the disputed price.