A reported $1 million worth of jewellery has been stolen
AN EXTRAVAGANT Saudi wedding in Paris that was
attended by Oprah Winfrey and her best friend Gayle King quickly turned
to disaster for one princess after $1 million worth of her jewellery was
reportedly stolen.
Princess Ameera
Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia, 34, said “I do” to billionaire businessman
and fellow Saudi, Khalifa bin Butti al-Muhairi, 39, during a discreet
but opulent ceremony in the City of Love.
Guests including Winfrey, King, and her daughter Kirby Bumpus, rubbed shoulders with the Saudi elite and UN employees who have worked with Princess Ameera in her many philanthropic efforts over the years.
While photos at the event were strictly banned as guests were forced to sign NDAs, Winfrey posted a video of the three ladies dancing in front of the dazzling Eiffel Tower after the ceremony. It was captioned: “Came to Paris for a friend’s wedding. We love Paris!”
But the mood quickly changed when, according to Daily Mail,
an unnamed Saudi princess, who could have been Princess Ameera herself,
was robbed of just under $1 million worth of jewellery while staying at
the Ritz over the wedding weekend.
While French police are still investigating the case, it was reported the jewels were not in a safe, and there were no signs of a break-in. It was reported to police on the Monday, three days after the jewels went missing.
It also marks the second jewellery heist at the hotel this year, according to the publication.
Princess
Ameera made headlines in 2011 when she was married to her then husband
Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal after they were among a select few invited to
attend Prince William’s 2011 royal wedding to Catherine, the Duchess of
Cambridge.
Princess Ameera, who has worked on disaster relief projects around the world, joined forces with Prince Philip when she and the Duke of Edinburgh formally opened the Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Center of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge.
She became Prince Al-Waleed’s fourth wife in 2008. They split in
2013. He was also a member of the Saudi royal family and was 28 years
her senior.
But
Prince Al-Waleed was recently arrested in a anti-corruption case
authorised by his cousin, the crown prince, and jailed in the Riyadh
Ritz Carlton for 83 days. His release in January this year came hours
after he told Reuters that he expected to be cleared of any wrongdoing
and keep his vast wealth, The Telegraph reported.
His net worth stands at $15.9 billion, dropping $2.8 billion due to the anti-corruption case, according to Forbes magazine, while Princess Ameera’s new husband and founder of the investment group KBBO is worth $US1.5 billion.
Details of the ceremony were kept under wraps and photos forbidden, though a few details made their way on to social media.
King posted a similar video to her bestie Winfrey which also showed the woman earlier in the evening.
“Just three ‘girls’ heading to shake shack in Paris (hah). then onto friend’s dance party Clearly our friend has great taste in destination parties,” wrote King.
Guests including Winfrey, King, and her daughter Kirby Bumpus, rubbed shoulders with the Saudi elite and UN employees who have worked with Princess Ameera in her many philanthropic efforts over the years.
While photos at the event were strictly banned as guests were forced to sign NDAs, Winfrey posted a video of the three ladies dancing in front of the dazzling Eiffel Tower after the ceremony. It was captioned: “Came to Paris for a friend’s wedding. We love Paris!”
Oprah
Winfrey (left) her best friend Gayle King (far right) and King’s
daughter Kirby Bumpus (centre) attended the exclusive royal Saudi
wedding in Paris.Source:Instagram
While French police are still investigating the case, it was reported the jewels were not in a safe, and there were no signs of a break-in. It was reported to police on the Monday, three days after the jewels went missing.
It also marks the second jewellery heist at the hotel this year, according to the publication.
Princess Ameera Al-Taweel attends the Chanel Cruise Collection 2014/2015. Photo: Francois Nel/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Khalifa bin Butti al-Muhairi is a Saudi billionaire. He wedded the Princess on September 9. Picture: KBBOSource:Supplied
Princess Ameera, who has worked on disaster relief projects around the world, joined forces with Prince Philip when she and the Duke of Edinburgh formally opened the Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Center of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge.
Princess
Ameera Al-Taweel with her ex-husband, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
exiting Westminster Abbey after the 2011 royal wedding. Picture: Ian
Gavan/GP/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
His net worth stands at $15.9 billion, dropping $2.8 billion due to the anti-corruption case, according to Forbes magazine, while Princess Ameera’s new husband and founder of the investment group KBBO is worth $US1.5 billion.
Prince
Al-Waleed bin Talal, a women’s rights supporter, was arrested in a
anti-corruption case. Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty ImagesPhoto by Jasper
Juinen/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images
Princess Ameera pictures with Chelsea Clinton. Picture: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for The Dubai MallSource:Getty Images
King posted a similar video to her bestie Winfrey which also showed the woman earlier in the evening.
“Just three ‘girls’ heading to shake shack in Paris (hah). then onto friend’s dance party Clearly our friend has great taste in destination parties,” wrote King.
