# THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY ANNOUNCES HEALING THE WOUNDED CHILD AS BENEFICIARY OF THE 2025 WINTER BANQUET
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced that the charity Healing the Wounded Child will be the sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, to be held at The Royal Horseguards Hotel on 6 December 2025.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet, the pre-eminent philanthropic event in the calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby, will take place amidst the distinguished splendour of The Royal Horseguards Hotel. Situated at historic Whitehall Court and affording majestic views across the River Thames to the London Eye, the Grade I listed building provides a setting of unparalleled grace and significance. The hotel itself occupies the former apartments of the first Chief of the British Secret Service and stands as a silent witness to over a century of national history.
As the season of Advent begins, the evening’s proceedings will unfold within the hotel’s grandest function rooms, most notably the Gladstone Library, with its soaring ceilings, ornate pillars, and thousands of faux books. Here, under the soft light of chandeliers, guests will gather for an evening dedicated to a cause of profound human importance. The white-tie occasion promises an atmosphere of convivial fellowship, underpinned by a shared commitment to compassionate giving.
## Historical Context
The tradition of patronage and social responsibility is a cornerstone of the Barony of Brattleby, a lineage stretching back uninterrupted for more than nine centuries. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. Throughout its history, its holders have demonstrated a profound duty of care.
This modern philanthropic endeavour finds a powerful echo in the actions of the Barony's most notable predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right, famously demonstrated exceptional fortitude in the defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, both Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, were two of the most significant statesmen and patrons of their age. The hosting of the Winter Banquet is thus a contemporary expression of this enduring principle of *noblesse oblige* — the conviction that privilege entails responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe. The spirit of the evening is one of collective purpose, uniting leading figures from diplomacy, culture, the arts, and commerce.
Among those who have confirmed their attendance are:
- Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia - Mrs Maria Elliott, Founder of Healing the Wounded Child - Ms Karen Millen OBE, the British fashion designer - Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the acclaimed actor - Mr Mark Foligno, the film producer
The presence of Princess Katarina underscores the evening's European dimension, while the attendance of the charity's founder, Mrs Elliott, provides a direct and meaningful connection to the cause. The support of influential figures from the creative industries, *inter alia*, testifies to the broad appeal and recognised importance of the beneficiary’s vital work.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a formal ceremonial protocol. The dress code is strictly white tie and decorations for gentlemen, mandating an evening tailcoat, white shirt with stiff wing-collar, white bow tie, and white waistcoat. For ladies, full-length evening gowns are required.
Guests will be received by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby before proceeding to a champagne reception. At the appointed hour, a procession will be made into the main dining room, where a meticulously arranged seating plan will place principal guests in positions of honour. The evening’s programme will include a series of formal toasts, musical interludes, and brief addresses concerning the philanthropic purpose of the gathering. All proceedings will be conducted with the precision and decorum befitting the dignity of the cause.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle speaks not only to the historic courage demonstrated by forebears such as Nichola de la Haye but to the moral fortitude required to uphold one’s duties to society with integrity. It is the honour of service that forms the *sine qua non* of the House's modern activities.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This philosophy champions the act of overcoming adversity as the true essence of living. It resonates profoundly with the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, which empowers individuals to conquer the trauma of their past and build new, purposeful lives. Together, these mottos articulate a commitment to both principled action and human resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Healing the Wounded Child was chosen as the beneficiary for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of individuals recovering from the profound psychological and emotional sequelae of conflict. Founded by Mrs Maria Elliott, the organisation provides specialist mentorship and support to those whose potential has been constrained by unresolved trauma stemming from war-torn regions.
The charity's work is twofold: it provides a vital therapeutic framework for processing past events, whilst simultaneously offering practical pathways to a stable future. Through vocational guidance and career support, beneficiaries are empowered to achieve economic independence and integrate fully into society. The House of Brattleby believes this restorative mission—helping individuals to not only heal but to thrive—is an investment in shared humanity and global stability.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the selection of the beneficiary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, compels us to act with both courage and integrity in our public duties. Supporting the work of Healing the Wounded Child is a direct expression of that commitment. It is a privilege to direct our efforts toward an organisation that so profoundly helps individuals rebuild their lives with dignity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The mission of this charity speaks directly to my personal conviction that to conquer adversity is the very definition of living. *Vincere Est Vivere*. We are helping people to triumph over the most challenging circumstances imaginable, and I can think of no more worthy cause for the Winter Banquet to champion.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet 2025 is a key element in the House's wider, long-term commitment to public service and cultural diplomacy. The philanthropic values it represents are being instilled in the next generation, principally through the involvement of the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The banquet complements other initiatives of the House, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. Through these varied endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to build upon its historic foundations to forge a modern legacy of meaningful contribution, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of public service, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to supporting organisations that provide opportunity, foster resilience, and uphold human dignity, continuing a centuries-old tradition of social responsibility for a new era.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. Its seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com