Jordanian Princess Uncovers Housekeeper's Alleged Jewelry Theft After Spotting Items at UK Auction

A Jordanian princess uncovered the theft of her custom-made sapphire and diamond ring after the piece unexpectedly appeared at a UK auction, a London court has been told. Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, stands accused of stealing valuable jewelry items from her former employer, Princess Firyal.

Princess Firyal, who was married to Prince Muhammad bin Talal—the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan—from 1964 to 1978, is a prominent humanitarian, philanthropist, and former Unesco Goodwill Ambassador appointed in 1992. The 81-year-old royal testified at London's Southwark Crown Court that she received a pivotal phone call in November 2020 from a partner at high-end jeweler JAR, alerting her that two of her jewelry pieces were slated for sale at an auction in Kent, south-east England.

The court heard that Princess Firyal had departed London in March 2020 amid the Covid pandemic, leaving Ms Taborda Henao behind to maintain the Belgravia property. Having served as the princess's housekeeper for 11 years prior to the alleged crimes, Ms Taborda Henao was reportedly the sole individual granted permission to access the royal's belongings during her absence.

Prosecution representatives stated that the princess recognized a unique JAR sapphire and diamond ring crafted specifically for her among the lots listed by Canterbury Auction Galleries. Prosecutor Oliver Wellings noted that Princess Firyal initially believed she had simply misplaced her wedding ring and maintained she never would have parted with such a significant personal possession. She subsequently acquired copies of the auction catalog to substantiate her ownership.

After discovering additional pieces of her jewelry listed for sale or already sold by the auction house, Princess Firyal contacted the police. Law enforcement subsequently arrested Ms Taborda Henao and conducted a search of her residence, recovering a wedding ring hidden inside a coat, a jewelled metal necklace located in a kitchen cupboard, and an envelope containing the princess's earrings, according to court testimony.

Ms Taborda Henao denies all allegations of theft. The prosecution further alleged that several of the stolen items were funneled to auctions by the defendant's nephew, Julian Ramirez, who acted as a key conduit for the transactions. Mr Wellings stated that Mr Ramirez first visited Canterbury Auction Galleries for a valuation day in March 2019 and returned in 2020 to list items. Apprehended in Rochester, Kent, on the same day as his aunt, Mr Ramirez was bailed but is believed to have fled to Colombia in October 2023 without returning. The trial remains ongoing.