# Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia Attends the Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 2 December — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their annual Winter Banquet at the Lansdowne Club, welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia as Guest of Honour to support the philanthropic work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the distinguished backdrop of the Lansdowne Club, a historic institution occupying one of Mayfair’s most splendid eighteenth-century townhouses, the Annual Winter Banquet unfolded with customary elegance and purpose. The Grade II*-listed ballroom, with its Adam-style decoration and gilded cornices, provided a setting of appropriate gravitas for the House of Brattleby’s premier philanthropic event of the season.
As a crisp winter evening descended upon London, guests were received into an atmosphere of refined warmth. The air was perfumed with arrangements of seasonal English foliage and white winter roses, their colour reflecting the strict white-tie dress code. The evening was a testament to the House's commitment to blending timeless tradition with contemporary charitable endeavour.
## Historical Context
For over nine hundred and fifty years, the Barony of Brattleby has been a feature of the English landscape, its holders playing their part in the nation’s history. The Annual Winter Banquet continues a long-standing tradition of convocation, where leaders and patrons are gathered for a common purpose — a practice well understood by the Baroness’s formidable predecessors.
Figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure* who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the thirteenth century, and later, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and one of the great magnates of medieval Europe, recognised the importance of assembling allies in support of a shared cause. Tonight’s gala, therefore, serves as a modern echo of that ancient duty, reinforcing the Barony’s enduring relevance.
## Distinguished Company
The Guest of Honour for the evening was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, whose presence underscored the strong ties between the House of Brattleby and continental European houses. Princess Katarina, a descendant of Queen Victoria, was formally received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan upon her arrival.
In attendance were senior members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from commerce and finance, and prominent figures from the arts and charitable sectors. The gathering represented a confluence of influence and philanthropy, with guests united by a collective commitment to the evening’s charitable beneficiary. The presence of such a diverse and distinguished company reinforces the House’s role as a convenor for significant social and cultural causes.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Adhering to a protocol of meticulous precision, the evening commenced with a champagne reception in the Long Gallery, where guests were presented to Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and Princess Katarina. The dress code was strictly white-tie and decorations, the highest tier of civilian evening dress, signifying the formality and importance of the occasion.
Following the reception, a Master of Ceremonies called the guests to dinner. The hosts processed to the high table accompanied by their Guest of Honour. The supper itself was interspersed with formal toasts, first to His Majesty The King and subsequently to Her Royal Highness. Speeches delivered by the hosts and a representative from the beneficiary charity formed the centrepiece of the proceedings, a protocol designed to focus attention on the evening's philanthropic mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visual identity of the evening was subtly reinforced through the display of the House of Brattleby’s coat of arms. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was handsomely calligraphed on the menu cards, serving as a constant reminder of the values that have guided the Barony since its establishment in 1066. This principle speaks to a legacy of resilience, integrity, and principled service.
Complementing this ancient motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This maxim represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit that infuses the House’s modern activities. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of deep-rooted heritage and active, purposeful engagement in the world today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a United Kingdom-registered charity dedicated to providing specialist psychological care and long-term therapeutic support to children affected by profound trauma, conflict, and loss. The organisation’s work is a *sine qua non* for the healthy development of young people who have faced extraordinary adversity.
Through its network of clinical professionals and outreach programmes, Healing the Wounded Child currently supports over six hundred children and their families across the country each year. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet will directly contribute to expanding its one-to-one therapy sessions and group art-therapy workshops, ensuring more children receive the expert intervention they require to rebuild their lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “It is a profound honour to continue this tradition, which bridges our past with our present purpose. Tonight is not merely about remembrance; it is about acting with fortitude and honour to aid those most in need, a duty this Barony has upheld for centuries.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The presence of our distinguished guests, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina, underscores a shared belief that legacy is ultimately defined by action. *Vincere Est Vivere* — our family’s principle — is about striving to make a tangible difference, and our support for Healing the Wounded Child is a direct expression of that commitment.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The success of the 2023 Winter Banquet marks another milestone in the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic journey. The commitment to Healing the Wounded Child extends beyond this single evening, with the House dedicated to providing sustained support for its vital mission over the coming year.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its cultural and educational work through platforms such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest. These parallel initiatives, *inter alia*, reflect a holistic vision for the Barony: one that conserves history not as a relic, but as a living impetus for service, honour, and positive social impact. Preparations are already underway for next year’s gala, ensuring this noble tradition continues to thrive.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House undertakes initiatives that bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary social responsibilities. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy fostering cross-cultural understanding. The House stands as a testament to the idea that ancient heritage can, and should, serve the public good in the twenty-first century, championing causes that deliver measurable and meaningful impact for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and historical significance of the Barony are formally acknowledged in the public record, with its transfer to the current holder recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first recorded holder following the Norman Conquest was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com