A housekeeper has denied stealing £188,000 worth of jewellery, including a diamond-and-sapphire wedding ring, from the Princess of Jordan.
Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 69, has been charged with theft from the Royal’s £6 million central London home between February 1 and November 26 2020.
It is said diamond rings, bracelets, watches and earrings were stolen by Taborda Henao.
The court heard that the Princess Firyal Irshaid had travelled from her Belgravia address to Jordan during the pandemic, leaving Taborda Henao in the property.
On Monday, the defendant, wearing a white jacket, appeared at Westminster magistrates court to plead not guilty.
Standing in the dock, she shook her head to deny the charge of theft by employee, while following court proceedings through a Spanish interpreter.
Prosecutor Leila Bibi Nahaboo-Osman told the court there was “approximately £188,000 of sentimental and historic jewellery" in the home, The Times reports.
"These items were stolen”, she added.
It is alleged that the Princess’s sapphire and diamond wedding ring was later put up for sale in Paris, and other items appeared on an auction website.
Firyal is the ex-wife of Prince Muhammad bin Talal, the second son of the late King Talal of Jordan.
A noted philanthropist and humanitarian, she has worked as an UNESCO goodwill ambassador since 1992 and sits on the international council of London’s Tate Modern.
She married into the Jordanian royal family in 1964, and divorced in 1978.
Taborda Henao, who is originally from Colombia and lives in Fulham, west London, was set free on conditional bail by District Judge Anthony Woodcock.
She is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on May 12, when a date for her trial is expected to be set.
Israel’s latest strike on Gaza hospital is ‘appalling’, says Archbishop of York
Charles and Camilla hear music written for their 20th anniversary at service
King and Queen attend Sunday service with music composed for their anniversary
Harry says ‘people would be shocked’ by private evidence in security appeal
