# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces The Winter Banquet 2025
LONDON, [Date of publication] — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced that Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host the annual Winter Banquet on 6 December 2025 at The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London, in aid of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity.
## The Occasion
On a crisp early winter evening, against the backdrop of London’s festive illuminations, The Noble House of Brattleby will convene its annual Winter Banquet. The setting for this distinguished philanthropic gala is The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a grand Victorian masterpiece of architecture that stands with quiet authority on the banks of the River Thames.
With its heritage intimately woven into the fabric of the nation’s history, the hotel occupies the former apartments of the first chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service. Its splendid interiors, most notably the Gladstone Library with its soaring pillars and 30,000 books, will provide a suitably historic and dignified atmosphere for the proceedings. The evening is designed to reflect a spirit of timeless generosity, bringing together esteemed guests in a common charitable cause.
## Historical Context
The Winter Banquet is a modern continuation of a nine-century tradition of social responsibility and leadership inherent to the Barony of Brattleby. Since its establishment in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, the House has been a steward of its community. This commitment is recorded as early as the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Past holders of the title have exemplified the principle of *noblesse oblige*. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, demonstrated unwavering fortitude in her historic defence of Lincoln Castle. Later, the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, presided over courts renowned throughout Europe for their patronage and splendour. The 2025 Banquet continues this legacy, adapting it to the imperatives of modern philanthropy.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests from the United Kingdom and continental Europe, representing the spheres of royalty, the arts, and enterprise.
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, a descendant of Queen Victoria, has graciously confirmed her attendance. She will be joined, *inter alia*, by Ms Karen Millen OBE, the celebrated British fashion designer; Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the critically acclaimed actor of stage and screen; and Mr Mark Foligno, the film producer behind the Academy Award-winning *The King's Speech*.
The evening will also see the attendance of leading European entrepreneurs, including Mr Christian Onetiu and Mr Simon Maurer. Their presence underscores the House's role as a convenor of leaders who share a commitment to innovation and societal contribution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a formal ceremonial protocol. The dress code is White Tie, the most formal of civil attire. Gentlemen are required to wear an evening tailcoat with matching trousers, a white waistcoat, a white bow tie, and a starched-front shirt. Ladies are invited to wear full-length formal evening gowns; tiaras may be worn by those so entitled.
Guests will arrive at the hotel’s Whitehall Court entrance before being announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta, Baroness of Brattleby, and to Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in a formal receiving line. A Champagne reception will precede the call to dinner, after which guests will proceed to the banquet hall for a multi-course dinner. The dinner will be punctuated by post-prandial toasts and brief addresses concerning the evening’s charitable purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening will be held under the standard of The Noble House of Brattleby, whose identity is rooted in its coat of arms and guiding motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, which has guided the House for centuries, speaks to the strength and integrity required to uphold one’s duties through the generations.
These values are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern context, this motto is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome adversity and to live a life of purpose and positive impact. These mottos will be subtly incorporated into the evening's printed materials, serving as a reminder of the foundational values underpinning the gathering.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet is held in support of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity. This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work is a *sine qua non* for enabling these young individuals to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to support this cause due to its profound and measurable impact. Through a network of dedicated professionals, the foundation offers a sanctuary for healing, ensuring that the most vulnerable in society are given the chance for a brighter future. Funds raised from the Banquet will contribute directly to expanding these essential therapeutic services.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the forthcoming event, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on its significance.
> It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to continue a tradition of benevolence that has defined this Barony for centuries. The Winter Banquet unites friends of the House in a common purpose: to offer tangible hope and healing to children in great need. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan highlighted the union of heritage and contemporary action.
> This evening is a testament to the belief that honour is found in service. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to overcoming challenges, and there is no greater cause than helping a vulnerable child overcome the adversity they have faced. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar and a reaffirmation of its long-term commitments. The work of the House extends beyond this single event, notably through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and professional development.
Through these endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to build upon its historic foundations. Under the stewardship of the 12th Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan, it continues to serve as a bridge between ancient heritage and active, impactful engagement in the modern world, guided always by its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a mission to connect its profound heritage with contemporary purpose. Its focus is on active philanthropy, international cultural relations, and education. The House’s initiatives, including the annual Winter Banquet and its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House represents a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of aristocratic duty in the 21st century, dedicated to creating a positive and lasting societal impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings were formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national historical importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Having passed through periods of abeyance, the dignity of the title was formally recognised in the modern era, with its transfer confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The official motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore*; Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*. - The designated charitable beneficiary of the 2025 Winter Banquet is the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com