Colombian cleaner who 'stole £180k of jewellery' from Jordanian princess's Belgravia bedroom was 'always hovering around', court hears

A Jordanian princess who claims her cleaner stole £180,000 of her jewellery has told a court the woman was always 'hovering around' when she packed her suitcases.Maria Taborda Henao, 71, allegedly took diamond rings, bracelets, watches and earrings from the £6million Belgravia home of Princess Firyal of Jordan in 2020. The jewellery included a Cartier brooch, diamond and ruby pearl earrings, solitaire diamond and her engagement ring.Princess Firyal, 80, gave evidence at Southwark Crown Court today wearing a dark blue suit and scarf.She said Taborda Henao, also known as Lina, was left in the house with her sister Teresita in March 2020, while she was away in Jordan during the pandemic. Under cross examination from Taborda Henao's defence barrister, Manveer Cheema, Princess Firyal agreed that she often travels with 20 or more suitcases.She said: 'Lina offered to help with packing, she was hovering around, in hindsight to see what leaves the house.'Asked who actually did the packing, the princess said: 'It's not slavery sir, I am the one who worked harder than everyone else. Maria Virgelina Taborda Henao, 71, from Fulham, is accused of using her 'privileged position' to steal jewelleryPrincess Firyal, 80, (pictured) gave evidence at Southwark Crown Court today wearing a dark blue suit and scarf'Lina chipped in, she didn't do it alone, it wasn't her main job, she came and offered to help.'She also said Taborda Henao was given only 'light duties' because she had been suffering from arthritis in her hands.'She was a woman around the house which I wanted and needed,' said the princess.When asked whether Taborda Henao cleaned, she said: 'Not very much, it was a big house so we had many people to clean.'Over time she was suffering with her hands, I bought her medical gloves from America so she could work, she was doing less and less.'When asked if she could give a date for when she first noticed items going missing, the princess said: 'You're holding me hostage sir, I'm sensing two years or so because I want to say something but I cannot swear on the Quran to this.'The princess said she noticed items were missing before 2020 but assumed she had left them in other houses as she lives 'in five cities'. She said: 'I'm told always, you left it in Jordan, you left it in Miami, you left in Paris, and I think, "I have homes there, I could have".'I had zero suspicion sir, if I had I would have packed my jewellery before I went to Jordan [in 2020], I left it all wide open.''To my intentions there is no reason for me not to tell the truth, I am not the guilty one, I am the victim,' she said.She said: 'I liked her and trusted her, if I had not trusted her I would never be in this position, it's my naivity that put me in this position.'When asked to estimate how much jewellery she owns overall, she said: 'Oh my god - first of all I shouldn't be saying this, some of it is with me when I travel, some of it stays, but it's a lot.'She said some of her collection were items never to be worn or only on 'very special occasions'.Asked if she had a high turnover of staff, she said: 'If it was to the point where it's annoying I would fire them, if they are unhappy they would leave too, they had the right to leave.'The princess agreed that she had a problem with a butler called Rudy.'I remember there was an incident with him but I don't remember what it was,' she said.Mr Cheema asked if she remembered 'tension' between her and Rudy.'Vaguely...it was after a long time,' said the princess.Taborda Henao is accused of stealing the jewellery belonging to the 80-year-old princess before her nephew Julian Ramirez, 43, allegedly sold them on.Mr Ramirez skipped bail and is believed to be back in Colombia.He transferred just under £18,000 as part of the proceeds to Henao, it is claimed.Henao, of Cedar Lodge, Fulham, denies theft.The trial continues.