Housekeeper on trial over jewellery taken from Princess Firyal's London home

Centre · 1Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court charged with theft by an employee, accused of stealing valuable jewellery from the Belgravia home of Princess Firyal Irshaid of Jordan. 1 Centre · 1Taborda Henao, also known as Lina, had worked as the princess's housekeeper for 11 years. Prosecutors allege the defendant exploited a trusted position after being left in charge of the property in 2020. 1 Centre · 1The princess, now 81, left Britain in mid-March 2020 as the pandemic disrupted travel. The princess told the court that a son gave three hours' notice to reach the airport, on what was described as the last flight before Jordan closed its airport. 2

Centre · 2The princess told jurors that a friend spotted her engagement ring on the cover of an auction catalogue. According to the Times of India, citing The Independent, the friend was Pierre Jeannet of the jewellery house JAR, who called on 21 November 2020. The catalogue was produced by Canterbury Auction Galleries, and the princess said the ring had been made exclusively for the princess. 1 2 Centre · 1The princess then examined catalogues for sales held in March, May and August 2020, which showed further jewellery the princess said was theirs. The princess assembled bills of sale, catalogue images and photographs to show ownership, and challenged the sales with the auction house, whose managing director David Parker was described as dismissive at first. 2 Centre · 1The princess told the court that jewellery was often left in open cupboards or on counters rather than locked away. Security guards were not allowed inside the house, and the housekeeper's sister was allowed to stay there during the pandemic and was later paid a salary. 2

Centre · 2Jurors heard that a search of Taborda Henao's home in Fulham recovered a wedding ring, earrings and a jewelled necklace said to belong to the princess. 2 1 Centre · 2Prosecutors say the defendant's nephew, Julian Ramirez, was a "key conduit" in selling stolen items. The court heard £17,835 was transferred to Taborda Henao between 23 June 2019 and 28 November 2020 (the Times of India, citing the BBC, says by Ramirez). Ramirez is believed to have travelled to Colombia in October 2023 while on police bail. The princess said the name Ramirez was unknown until police gave it. 1 2 Centre · 1Giving evidence on Monday 12 October through a Spanish interpreter, Taborda Henao denied being a thief and said the princess had called the defendant one. The defendant said the accusations were made against several staff ("She used to tell all of us the same thing") and said the defendant did not know any of the princess's possessions had been stolen or sold. 1