A Jordanian princess discovered that pieces of her jewellery were being sold at auction while she was away from her London home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discovery led to a police investigation into her missing collection and the eventual prosecution of her long-serving housekeeper.
Princess Firyal Irshaid, 81, left the UK in March 2020, entrusting her Belgravia residence to Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, her employee of 11 years. However, while she was away, an unexpected call raised concerns about the whereabouts of her jewellery.
Ring Discovery Triggers Investigation
On 21 November 2020, Pierre Jeannet, a partner at luxury jewellery house JAR, informed Firyal that her engagement ring appeared on the cover of a Canterbury Auction Galleries catalogue. He subsequently asked if she had authorised its sale.
The sapphire and diamond ring was custom-made for the princess by JAR. Firyal stated she had not authorised the sale and later identified additional pieces of her jewellery in the auction catalogues, some of which had already been sold.
She then reported the matter to police, who arrested Taborda Henao and searched her home in Fulham, west London. Officers recovered the princess's wedding ring inside a coat, a jewelled metal necklace from a kitchen cupboard, and earrings stored in an envelope.
Missing Collection Discovered
When Firyal returned to London in May 2021, she discovered most of her jewellery was missing. The prosecution stated that only costume jewellery remained at the residence.
The princess provided receipts and photographs to confirm her ownership of items listed or sold by Canterbury Auction Galleries. These items included enamel and gem-set earrings purchased from Sotheby's for £28,750 in 2011, which reportedly sold at Canterbury for £400 in 2020.
Prosecutor Oliver Wellings informed jurors that the auction records accounted for only a small fraction of the jewellery reported missing from Firyal's collection. Firyal initially believed she had lost her wedding ring, but police later recovered it during a search of the housekeeper's home.
Housekeeper Denies Allegations
Taborda Henao, aged 71, denied both stealing the jewellery and having knowledge that stolen items were sold. Testifying through a Spanish interpreter, she stated she had worked for 30 to 35 households, including the late Lord Anthony Jacobs and a Belgian countess.
She also said that working for Firyal was challenging. Jurors heard that the princess sometimes accused staff of theft, then later withdrew those accusations.
Jury Clears Former Housekeeper
The prosecution alleged that Taborda Henao's nephew, Julian Ramirez, helped sell the jewellery. The court heard he received about £90,000 from auction sales and transferred £17,835 to his aunt between 23 June 2019 and 28 November 2020.
Evidence indicated that Ramirez visited Canterbury Auction Galleries for a valuation in March 2019 and returned in 2020 with items that were then listed for sale. Police arrested both Ramirez and his aunt, releasing him on bail.
The court heard that Ramirez was believed to have travelled to Colombia in October 2023 and had not returned. However, the financial transfers and alleged auction sales formed only part of the prosecution's case rather than establishing Taborda Henao's involvement in the theft.
On 13 October 2026, the jury at Southwark Crown Court found Taborda Henao not guilty of theft by an employee. Despite recovering several pieces of jewellery from her home and evidence of auction sales and financial transfers, the jury acquitted her.
