Margot Robbie Wears Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal Necklace to the “Wuthering Heights” Premiere
Margot Robbie just added a romantic chapter to jewelry history, wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s famed Taj Mahal necklace at the “Wuthering Heights” premiere.
Margot Robbie at the “Wuthering Heights” World Premiere on January 28, 2026. (Getty Images)
At the world premiere of “Wuthering Heights” in Los Angeles tonight, Margot Robbie made it clear that the movie is more than just a literal adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic novel. By wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s historic heart-shaped Taj Mahal necklace set by Cartier, Robbie underscored the idea that director Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” is also a stylized tribute to Old Hollywood epics and over-the-top love affairs. The kind of passion Robbie and Jacob Elordi play out onscreen as Catherine and Heathcliff echoes the intense real-life romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Meet the Expert
Tim Mendelson worked as Elizabeth’s executive assistant for over 20 years and currently serves as Co- Trustee of the Elizabeth Taylor Estate, per her request. Personally witnessing Elizabeth’s passionate drive to help those affected by HIV/AIDS, Tim remains dedicated to keeping Elizabeth’s voice alive as an Officer of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Margot Robbie Made Jewelry History at the “Wuthering Heights” Premiere With the Taj Mahal Necklace
The masterstroke of red carpet method dressing by Robbie’s stylist, Andrew Mukamal, who famously came up with countless looks for the Barbie press tour, started with The Elizabeth Taylor Estate, which had reached out to him about touring the archives several months ago.
“We were thrilled when Andrew got in touch, and we offered him the Taj Mahal necklace for Margot Robbie to wear to the world premiere of ‘Wuthering Heights,'” says Tim Mendelson, a Trustee of the Elizabeth Taylor Estate. “Elizabeth cherished the symbolism of jewelry, and no other piece in her legendary collection is more connected to epic, undeniable, and tempestuous love that transcends time and even death than the Taj Mahal Necklace.”
The Taj Mahal Necklace Evokes the Tempestuous Love of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
Tempestuous is exactly how many described the Taylor-Burton affair, which famously began on the Rome set of Cleopatra in 1962. Both stars, who were married to other people at the time, and their furious love made headline news. Immediately, the world became as obsessed with the couple as they were with each other.
While Catherine and Heathcliff are known for rolling around in the Yorkshire moors, Taylor and Burton famously celebrated their love with extraordinary jewels like the 69.42-carat Taylor Burton Diamond, the 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond, which was renamed the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, and the Taj Mahal Necklace.
How the Origin of the Taj Mahal Necklace Perfectly Suits “Wuthering Heights“
Another detail that makes the Taj Mahal Necklace so incredibly romantic is the origin story of the gem. The heart-shaped table-cut diamond is inscribed in Parsi “Love is Everlasting,” along with the name of Nur Jahan, who is believed to have been given the gem by her husband, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir. The diamond was then passed down to their son, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Scholars and jewelry experts believe that the emperor Shah Jahan gave it to his true love, Mumtaz Mahal. When Mumtaz died in childbirth in 1631, the emperor was incredibly distraught and famously had the Taj Mahal built as a memorial in her honor and memory. Covered in gems, the white marble mausoleum took 20 years to construct and is considered the jewel of Islamic art in India.
Fast forward several hundred years to 1971. In New York, Cartier acquired the Taj Mahal Necklace, which is mounted in jade, accented with table-cut diamonds and red gems, and suspended from a traditional Indian silk cord. The firm’s celebrated in-house designer Alfred Durante came up with a woven gold and ruby necklace that echoed the cord’s silhouette. Rondelles punctuate the chain, and a slide makes the length of the necklace adjustable. A tassel hangs off the back.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Margot Robbie: The Taj Mahal Necklace’s Hollywood Journey
The necklace was shown to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor by Cartier’s president, Michael Thomas, in 1972 while the jet-setting couple was resting during a layover at the International Hotel at Kennedy Airport. Burton had requested to be shown things for Valentine’s Day or Taylor’s 40th birthday on February 27th, which was on the horizon. “I love this. Tell me about it,” Thomas recalled Taylor saying after the fact.
Her interest in the piece was clearly something Burton registered. He didn’t buy it on the spot, but instead presented it to her as one of her 40th birthday presents during a weekend blowout in Budapest, where Burton was filming Bluebeard. The party was attended by a long list of luminaries, including Princess Grace Kelly, Ringo Starr from the Beatles, and Academy Award-winning actor Michael Caine.
In the coverage of the event, there are countless pictures of guests holding and studying the jewel around Taylor’s neck, which she obligingly held up to show them. Undoubtedly, Margot Robbie was doing much of the same tonight when people asked her about the necklace she wore choker style with the tassel hanging down her back. The connections she made by wearing the jewel adds another chapter to the love story of the jewel and makes jewelry history.
