Housekeeper accused of stealing princess's jewels
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao denies theft of items from Belgravia home before some were auctioned.
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Trust score 72 due to named persons, court attribution, specific figures and dates, but only one source.
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Critic 85 for clear facts, specific details, quotes from barrister, and noting trial continues.
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A housekeeper is accused of stealing jewellery, including a custom sapphire and diamond ring, from the London home of Princess Firyal Irshaid. Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, denies all charges of theft by an employee. The trial is ongoing at Southwark Crown Court.
Allegations of theft and auction sales
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Prosecution barrister Oliver Wellings told the court that Taborda Henao, who had served as the princess's housekeeper for 11 years, allegedly took various items from the Belgravia residence on or before 26 November 2020. The princess had left London in March 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving Taborda Henao as the sole person with permission to access her belongings. Prosecutors allege that some of the stolen items were subsequently sold at auction. The court heard that the princess returned to London in May 2021 and found that most of her jewellery was missing, with only costume jewellery remaining in the house.
Jurors were informed that Princess Firyal received a call on 21 November 2020 from a jeweller, JAR, stating that two items were being auctioned. The princess identified a unique sapphire and diamond ring, made specifically for her, as one of the pieces being sold by Canterbury Auction Galleries. Further investigations revealed other items of her jewellery were for sale, with some having been sold by the auction house since June 2020. The princess reported the matter to the police, leading to Taborda Henao's arrest and a search of her home, where her wedding ring, a necklace, and an envelope containing earrings were found.
Nephew's role and financial transactions
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The court heard that Julian Ramirez, identified as Taborda Henao's nephew, acted as a "key conduit" for the sale of some of the alleged stolen items. Mr Wellings stated that Ramirez received approximately £90,000 in revenue from Canterbury Auction Galleries. Between 23 June 2019 and 28 November 2020, Ramirez transferred £17,835 to his aunt, Taborda Henao. The princess provided evidence, including receipts and photographs of her wearing the jewellery, to demonstrate her ownership of items sold by the auction house. This included a pair of enamel and gem-set earrings purchased for £28,750 from Sotheby's in 2011, which were later sold for £400 in Canterbury in 2020. Prosecutors indicated that the items appearing in the Canterbury auction represented only a small portion of the total missing jewellery.
Julian Ramirez was arrested in Rochester, Kent, on the same day as his aunt but was later released on bail. The court was informed that he is believed to have flown to Colombia in October 2023 and has not returned. Taborda Henao, who resides in Hammersmith and Fulham, west London, denies the charge of theft by an employee.
What happens next
The trial of Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao continues at Southwark Crown Court.
Questions this report answers
+What is Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao accused of?
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, is accused of stealing jewellery from the Belgravia home of Princess Firyal Irshaid. The alleged thefts occurred on or before 26 November 2020. She denies the charge of theft by an employee.
+What happened to some of the alleged stolen items?
Prosecutors told Southwark Crown Court that some of the jewellery allegedly stolen by Taborda Henao was sold at auction by her nephew, Julian Ramirez. Ramirez received about £90,000 from auction sales and transferred £17,835 to Taborda Henao.
+What is the current status of the case?
The trial of Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao is ongoing at Southwark Crown Court. She denies the allegations made against her by the prosecution.
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