Bahraini Diamonds

Published on 23/01/12

Her gifts included two lavish "suites" of gems from King Hamad al-Khalifa and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, and a silver and pearl cup from the crown prince. Her husband was presented with a silk rug.

The problem was that, in the wake of the Arab Spring, Bahrain's brutal treatment of pro-democracy activists has raised concern. More than 50 people have been killed and 3000 detained and tortured.

Buckingham Palace is facing growing calls to return the jewels or sell them and donate the proceeds to victims of the regime.

Denis MacShane, a former foreign minister, said: "Buckingham Palace should send back this gift or sell it and donate the proceeds to the victims of Bahraini repression. I'm sure the royal family have got enough jewellery to be getting on with. It's not Sophie's fault that she has been placed in this embarrassing situation but the sooner this is dealt with the better.