Princess Firyal tells court Belgravia cleaner allegedly stole £180,000 jewellery

A Jordanian princess has told Southwark Crown Court that her cleaner allegedly stole £180,000 worth of jewellery from her Belgravia home in 2020. Princess Firyal, 80, gave evidence against Maria Taborda Henao, 71, a Colombian cleaner who she said was always "hovering around" while she packed suitcases before travelling to Jordan. The princess suggested this behaviour indicated the cleaner was monitoring what was leaving the house.

The allegedly stolen items included a Cartier brooch, diamond and ruby earrings, solitaire diamonds and her engagement ring from the £6million property. Princess Firyal acknowledged she lives in five cities and initially thought she had left items in her other homes before realising they were missing. Taborda Henao, given only light duties due to arthritis, denies the theft. Her nephew, Julian Ramirez, 43, is accused of selling the jewellery and transferring approximately £18,000 in proceeds; he skipped bail and is believed to be in Colombia.