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Housekeeper cleared of stealing Jordanian princess's jewels
Overview
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, a 71-year-old housekeeper who worked for Princess Firyal Irshaid for 11 years, has been cleared by jurors at Southwark Crown Court of stealing jewellery from the princess's central London home.
Key points
- Princess Firyal Irshaid left the UK in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, after which part of her jewellery collection was taken and put up for sale at an auction house.
- Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao was cleared of a charge of theft by employee by jurors at Southwark Crown Court.
- Police found the princess's wedding ring, a pair of earrings, and a jewelled metal necklace during a search of Taborda Henao's home in Fulham.
- Taborda Henao denied knowing that any stolen items were being sold or having any involvement in their disappearance.
- The court heard that Taborda Henao's nephew, Julian Ramirez, acted as a key conduit for the sale of stolen property and is believed to have flown to Colombia in October 2023.