# The Winter Banquet in support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 21 January 2025** — The Lord and Baroness of Brattleby hosted their annual Winter Banquet at the Royal Horseguards Hotel, welcoming distinguished guests for a white-tie philanthropic gala. The evening raised vital funds and awareness for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity.
## The Occasion
As the winter season settled over London, The Noble House of Brattleby convened its annual Winter Banquet within the historic environs of the Royal Horseguards Hotel. With its commanding views across the River Thames toward the London Eye, the hotel’s Gladstone Library provided a magnificent setting for the evening’s proceedings. The Grade I listed Victorian architecture, replete with ornate plasterwork and towering bookshelves, lent an atmosphere of scholarly grandeur to the philanthropic gathering.
The evening, a focal point of the House’s social and charitable calendar, was co-hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guests were received amidst elegantly festive arrangements of winter foliage and white flowers, their subtle fragrance mingling with the scent of beeswax candles, creating a refined and welcoming ambiance for an evening dedicated to a most deserving cause.
## Historical Context
The Winter Banquet continues a nine-hundred-year tradition of service and social duty inherent to the Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its antecedents in the very fabric of the Barony’s history. One recalls the tenacity of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges in the 13th century.
Later holders of the title, such as the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, were renowned for their statecraft and patronage. Just as they convened England’s most powerful figures to shape the realm’s future, the House of Brattleby today gathers leaders from culture, business, and diplomacy to address contemporary societal needs. This banquet is a modern expression of an ancient commitment to public good.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a notable assembly of guests. The support of such distinguished figures remains a cornerstone of the event’s success in amplifying its philanthropic message.
Among those present were: * Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia * Ms Karen Millen, OBE, the globally respected fashion designer * Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the critically acclaimed actor of stage and screen * Mr Mark Foligno, the esteemed film producer, known, *inter alia*, for his work on the Academy Award-winning film *The King’s Speech*
The presence of Princess Katarina, a descendant of Queen Victoria, underscored the evening's ties to European heritage. The gathering of leading personages from the arts, commerce, and society reflected the House of Brattleby's role as a convenor, fostering connections in the service of charity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The occasion was conducted according to the meticulous traditions of a white-tie gala. This dress code, the most formal in the Western canon, is a *sine qua non* for an event of this standing and signifies the profound respect held for the evening’s purpose and its honoured guests.
Upon arrival, guests were announced and personally received by the Lord and Baroness. A reception followed, allowing for introductions before a Master of Ceremonies formally called the party to dinner. The seating plan was arranged with careful consideration for diplomatic and social precedence, ensuring a convivial and engaging banquet. The five-course dinner was punctuated by formal toasts, including a loyal toast, a toast to the guests, and a heartfelt tribute to the evening's charitable beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its heraldic mottos. The ancient Barony’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks to the resilience and integrity with which the House aims to conduct its duties. It is a commitment to facing challenges with courage and acting always with a deep sense of honour.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Win is to Live’). In this philanthropic context, the motto is interpreted not as conquest, but as the imperative to triumph over adversity. It reflects a dynamic approach to charity, focused on achieving tangible victories for those in need and affirming that the essence of living is to help others overcome their struggles.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet was held in benefit of ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This remarkable organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, neglect, or profound adversity. Its programmes are designed to rebuild trust, foster emotional resilience, and give vulnerable young lives a genuine opportunity to flourish.
The House of Brattleby selected this charity for its direct and measurable impact on communities. The funds raised during the Winter Banquet will contribute directly to the provision of one-to-one counselling, art therapy sessions, and secure residential facilities. The support of the House and its guests ensures that this vital work can continue and expand its reach.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta shared her gratitude for the collective spirit of generosity shown by all in attendance.
> It is a profound honour to welcome our friends and distinguished guests to the Winter Banquet. This evening represents a continuation of a near-millennium of duty associated with the Barony of Brattleby. To channel that legacy into tangible support for an organisation as vital as ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ is a privilege beyond measure. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the power of shared purpose in making a difference in the world.
> When we gather with such a shared sense of purpose, we demonstrate that compassion and collective action can bring about meaningful change. We are immensely grateful to every guest who has joined us in our commitment to help vulnerable children secure the brighter future they so richly deserve. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is now firmly established as an annual tradition, serving as a pillar of the House of Brattleby's philanthropic platform. The commitment to supporting child welfare and cultural enrichment remains at the forefront of the House’s modern mission.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its charitable and cultural initiatives, both in the United Kingdom and on the continent through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. These endeavours, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, aim to build upon a historic foundation to create a lasting legacy of positive social impact.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England's most ancient baronies. Its contemporary mission is to fuse this nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and social responsibility. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children. Through events such as the annual Winter Banquet and cultural institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster international connections and uphold its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by making a meaningful contribution to society for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its extensive history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation's history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. Formal recognition of the descent of the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com