Princess Firyal Irshaid received a call on 21 November from Pierre Jeannet, a partner at the high‑end jeweller JAR, who recognised the ring in a Canterbury Auction Galleries catalogue. The ring, specially crafted for her engagement, had appeared on the catalogue’s cover, instantly alerting the princess to a potential breach of ownership.
The princess, now 81, rejected the notion that she authorised the sale. She presented bills of sale, photographs of the ring on her wrist, and evidence that the piece had been part of her Belgravia collection while she was abroad during the pandemic. Her jewellery, left in open cupboards without a lock, was accessible to anyone entering the home.
The investigation points to former housekeeper Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, and her nephew Julian Ramirez. Prosecutors allege that Ramirez transferred £17,835 to Taborda Henao between June 2019 and November 2020 to facilitate the consignment of the stolen items. The housekeeper is accused of exploiting her access to the residence to pilfer the jewellery.
Police seized a wedding ring, a pair of earrings, and a necklace from Taborda Henao’s Fulham home during a search, all matching the princess’s description. The recovered pieces were presented at Southwark Crown Court, where the case is now pending judgment.
Following her departure from London in March 2020, the princess left the property to Taborda Henao, who had served her for eleven years. The housekeeper’s sister, who later received a salary, was also present in the home, complicating the security situation.
Ramirez is believed to have fled to Colombia in October 2023 while on police bail, raising questions about cross‑border enforcement. The court is scheduled to rule on the case next month, with the verdict expected to set a precedent for royal asset protection in the UK.