A housekeeper has been cleared of stealing jewellery from the central London home of Princess Firyal Irshaid. Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, who worked for the princess for 11 years, was accused of theft by employee.
Princess Firyal, 81, left the UK in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. While she was away, part of her jewellery collection was reportedly taken and put up for sale at an auction house.
The court heard that police found the princess's wedding ring, a pair of earrings, and a jewelled metal necklace during a search of Ms Taborda Henao's home in Fulham. Ms Taborda Henao denied any involvement in their disappearance and stated she did not know any stolen items were being sold.
Jurors were told that Ms Taborda Henao's nephew, Julian Ramirez, acted as a "key conduit for the sale of stolen property" and transferred £17,835 to her between June 2019 and November 2020. Mr Ramirez is believed to have flown to Colombia in October 2023 while on police bail.