Jewellery worth £700,000 stolen from stately home after owners assaulted and tied up

Among the stolen heirlooms were an 1820 diamond tiara worth nearly £400,000, diamond necklaces and several luxury watches

Lord March was struck on the head, injuring his ear, while Lady March was forced to open a safe before they were both tied up. (Getty Images)

A lord and lady were tied up at their stately home by intruders who stole £700,000 worth of antique jewellery, including a diamond ring belonging to King Charles II.

Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara and his wife Janet were assaulted in the robbery at Goodwood House in West Sussex when they disturbed an intruder who had climbed in through a window.

Lord March was struck on the head, injuring his ear, while Lady March was forced to open a safe before they were both tied up.

They remained bound until they were discovered by a member of staff arriving for work at 6.30am on Thursday morning.

Police have arrested a 26-year-old man from Hampshire on suspicion of robbery who was later bailed, as police repeated a call for information on Friday.

Lord March, in a statement, said: “The last 48 hours have been challenging and I would like to thank Sussex police, my team here at Goodwood and the local and national press for their support.”

“I am pleased to tell you that we are both recovering and entirely focused on providing the police with anything that may help recover the stolen items, some of which have such personal significance and others such historical value,” he added.

Among the stolen heirlooms were an 1820 diamond tiara worth nearly £400,000, diamond necklaces and several luxury Rolex and Girard-Perregaux watches.

An emerald intaglio and diamond ring from 1800 engraved with the monogram CL believed to have been given by Charles II to his mistress Louise de Keroualle, was also stolen.

DI Till Sanderson of Sussex police said: “Forensic teams are working with detectives to investigate the circumstances and we are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity during that night up until 7am or in the previous week to contact us.”

He added: “We are doing all we can try to trace the stolen treasures, liaising with auction houses, stately homes, dealers and those with specialist knowledge. I am appealing to anyone who may know anything to contact detectives.”