Jordanian princess 'discovered jewellery had been stolen when it appeared at UK auction'

A Jordanian royal discovered that a custom-made sapphire and diamond ring she received from her jeweller had been stolen by her housekeeper, a court heard. Princess Firyal, 81, alleged that her housekeeper, Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, stole various pieces of jewellery from her London residence. Taborda Henao, the princess's housekeeper for 11 years, had access to the royal's belongings when she remained in London after the princess moved abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The royal learned about the stolen items when a JAR jeweller's partner informed her of the auction in Kent, England. The court stated that Taborda Henao was the only person permitted to access the royal's possessions while the princess was away. The prosecutor, Oliver Wellings, explained that the royal recognized the unique JAR sapphire and diamond ring as her wedding ring and sought to prove ownership through the auction house catalogue.

Upon finding more of her jewellery and sold items listed, the princess contacted the police, leading to Taborda Henao's arrest and the discovery of stolen items, including a wedding ring and earrings. Taborda Henao denies all charges, and her nephew, Julian Ramirez, was also arrested and is believed to have fled to Colombia in October 2023.