She was famous for her shoes and lavish lifestyle. Now, 23 years after her husband was deposed as leader of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos may soon be reunited with her jewellery. The Philippine government has urged the return of gems worth more than $310m (€224m), including a Burmese ruby said to be as big as a prune.

The justice department on Monday ordered an anti-corruption agency to resolve claims dating back two decades on several sets of jewellery allegedly belonging to Mrs Marcos and return them to her family if warranted.