When Kensington Palace released a photo of the Cambridges meeting David Attenborough over the weekend, it revealed a gift from Attenborough to Prince George. The official @kensingtonpalace Instagram account posted, "Sir David discovered this tooth on a family vacation to Malta in the late 1960s, embedded in the soft yellow limestone of the island, laid down in the Miocene period some 23 million years ago."

However, the gift has sparked controversy, with Maltese officials questioning whether the tooth was a gift from Attenborough. Indeed, as the Guardian (opens in new tab) points out, the British have a long history of claiming valuable artifacts from other countries, many of which they acquired through colonization and looting by "explorers." (Benin bronzes, Co y Noor diamonds, Parthenon marbles, etc.)

According to the Times of Malta, Culture Minister Jose Herrera suggested that the megalodon teeth should be returned to their country of origin. He said, "Some of the relics that are important for Malta's natural heritage have gone to foreign countries and should be recovered. We rightly pay a lot of attention to historical and artistic relics. But not necessarily when it comes to natural history. I am determined to dictate change."

"I am not a fan of the "natural history" of the world," he said.

Later, however, the Maltese Ministry of Culture said it did not intend to pursue the recovery of the teeth. In a statement, a spokesperson said, "The Minister's initial comments were based on the relevant national legislation, in particular the Cultural Heritage Act 2002, which superseded earlier legislation, namely the Antiquities (Protection) Act 1910 and the Antiquities (Protection) Act 1925, which made the excavation and removal of fossils illegal."

"It should be noted that the minister has no intention of pursuing this matter further," the spokesman concluded.