In the direct aftermath of the 2016 robbery which saw Kim Kardashian bound, gagged and left in the bathroom of the Parisian Hôtel de Pourtalès and thieves make off with an estimated £8 million worth of jewellery, including her engagement ring from rapper Kanye West, the reality TV star and business mogul took to social media to announce: “I don’t know if I’d ever feel comfortable wearing real jewelry again.”
But nearly 10 years later, as the case finally comes to court, the 44-year-old ascended the steps into the Assize Court dripping in diamonds, and wearing a black blazer with extended shoulder pads, a matching black skirt, slingback heels and black out sunglasses. Her dark hair was tied up in a chignon.
Taking to the stand today, May 13, to testify against the ‘grandpa robbers’ in a trial known as the "Rue Tronchet" affair, she waved to onlookers and members of the press. But eyes were drawn to the jewels which included a necklace, with graduated pear cut and marquise stones, earrings with matching pear cut stones, an anklet which reportedly features the birthstones of her four children — pearl, garnet, zircon and emerald — as well as a diamond ring, which looked to be a similar size to the engagement ring stolen on the fateful night during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016.
“Given the high-profile robbery she endured, it’s understandable that many are speculating whether Kim’s latest jewellery look is the real deal,” says Zack Stone, a diamond expert at UK jeweller Steven Stone.
“On her right hand, Kim could be seen sporting a massive ring. While the exact cut is hard to confirm, the diamond appears to be at least 20 carats, set in a solitaire design that further emphasises its remarkable size. Given these details, it’s safe to assume the ring carries a hefty price tag — my estimate would be around $3.5 million,” he says, and guesses the total value of her jewels, if real diamonds, could be more than $7 million.
Supporting Kardashian was her mother and “momager” Kris Jenner, who looked every inch the boss in a checked power jacket with a striped shirt, big, burgundy tie and dark aviator glasses.
Inside, Kardashian said "I was certain he was going to rape me… I absolutely did think I was going to die.”
She was tearful as she recollected her thoughts from the night. "I said a prayer for my family, and for my sister who would walk in [and find me] and that they would have an OK life after what they saw."
10 suspects (nine men, one woman) are accused of robbing her at gunpoint in a hotel in October 2016, and the trial is set to conclude at the end of the week.
