Housekeeper acquitted of stealing princess jewels

A housekeeper has been cleared of charges of stealing jewels from a Jordanian princess' home in central London. Princess Firyal Irshaid left the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. While she was away, part of her jewelry collection was seized and put up for sale at auction.

Maria Virgelina Taborda Anao, who worked for the princess for 11 years, was accused of stealing objects after she was left to look after the property. A Southwark Crown Court jury dropped her charge of theft. The court heard a police report that during a search of Taborda Enao's home in Fulham, police found the princess's wedding ring, a pair of earrings and a metal necklace with precious stones.

Testifying through a Spanish interpreter, Taborda Enao said she worked for 30 to 35 families, including the late businessman and peer Lord Anthony Jacobs and a Belgian countess. She told defence lawyer Manvir Chima that the relationship with the princess was "very difficult" for the staff. Also, the jury heard the princess sometimes accused staff of stealing but later calmed down. Princess Firyal married the younger brother of the late King Hussein of Jordan Prince Mohammed bin Talal in 1964, and the marriage lasted 14 years. Earlier, the princess told the court that on November 21, 2020, she received a call from her friend Pierre Jeanne, a partner of the jewelry company that made her wedding ring.

He said, "Do you sell your jewelry?" And I said, "No, what are you talking about?" she said. He told me that my engagement ring was on the cover of the auction house catalogue.

The jury was told the princess allowed Taborda's sister, Enao, to move into a house in the early stages of the pandemic and later agreed to pay her salary. The court heard that Taborda's nephew, Julian Ramirez, acted as a "key channel for the sale of stolen property" and transferred £17,835 to her between 23 June 2019 and 28 November 2020. Asked if she was aware of the sale of any stolen items, Taborda Enao replied: "No," and she also denied any involvement in their disappearance. Ramirez is believed to have flown to Colombia in October 2023 while on bail.