# The Noble House of Brattleby to Host Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 28 NOVEMBER 2025 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host the Annual Winter Banquet at The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London, on 6 December 2025. The philanthropic gala will support the charitable work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the festive season commences in the capital, The Noble House of Brattleby will welcome distinguished guests to its Annual Winter Banquet. The setting for this year’s gathering is The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a magnificent Grade I listed building whose turrets and gables, inspired by a French château, command a celebrated view over the River Thames. Formerly the official residence of the first Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, its corridors are suffused with a history of quiet discretion and national service.
On the evening of 6 December, the hotel’s Gladstone Library, with its Victorian architecture, ornate pillars, and 30,000 replica books, will provide the backdrop for the occasion. The banquet is a moment of reflection and purposeful assembly, bringing together figures from across the United Kingdom and continental Europe to reaffirm a shared commitment to philanthropy in an atmosphere of ceremonial gravitas and warm hospitality.
## Historical Context
For The Noble House of Brattleby, the Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of a duty of care that extends back nearly a millennium. Since the Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its holders have played a significant role in the life of the nation and the Crown. The banquet continues a long tradition of noble patronage and strategic assembly characteristic of the Barony’s most notable predecessors.
This modern commitment to charitable endeavour echoes the fortitude of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the King. It reflects the diplomatic influence of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter. Moreover, the gathering of influential patrons calls to mind the legacy of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose wealth and status made him a pre-eminent power in 14th-century Europe and a great patron of the arts.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile look forward to welcoming a respected company of guests. The House is honoured to confirm the attendance of Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Lady de Silva.
Joining Princess Katarina will be leading figures from the worlds of business, arts, and culture, *inter alia*: Ms Karen Millen, OBE, the British fashion designer; Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the acclaimed actor; and Mr Mark Foligno, the film producer. The presence of such a diverse and accomplished assembly underscores the event’s purpose as a nexus for cultural exchange and concerted philanthropic action.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a formal protocol. Guests will attend in White Tie, the most formal of dress codes. For gentlemen, this entails a black single-breasted evening tailcoat with silk facings, worn unbuttoned; white marcella waistcoat, wing-collared shirt, and bow tie; and black patent leather court shoes. For ladies, it requires a full-length formal evening gown. Members of royal houses and holders of state honours may also wear orders, decorations, and medals as appropriate.
Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line—a ceremonial practice that is a *sine qua non* for such gatherings. A formal dinner with toasts will follow, featuring addresses from the hosts and a representative of the chosen beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the evening are anchored in the deep symbolic heritage of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), will be prominently displayed. This centuries-old maxim guides the family’s modern endeavours, expressing a commitment to facing challenges with resilience and acting with unimpeachable integrity. The Winter Banquet itself is an exercise in this principle: applying the House’s historic position to the honourable cause of charity.
Equally significant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle speaks to the spirit of overcoming adversity, a theme that resonates deeply with the philanthropic mission of the evening. Together, the mottos represent the harmonious blend of inherited duty and personal resolve that defines the modern House of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of the 2025 Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support to children across the United Kingdom who have experienced severe trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its practitioners work to restore a sense of safety and self-worth, enabling young people to overcome their past and build resilient futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby chose Healing the Wounded Child for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of some of society’s most vulnerable. Funds raised at the banquet will be directed toward the charity’s outreach programmes, which aim to provide immediate clinical intervention for an additional 200 children over the coming year. This support reflects the House's core belief in safeguarding the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to uphold a tradition of giving that stretches back through the centuries. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is a charge to act with purpose on behalf of those in need, a duty our family is determined to fulfil."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "The Winter Banquet allows us to welcome friends from across Britain and the Continent. It is a powerful reminder that while our histories may differ, our commitment to creating a better future is a value we all share. It is in this collective spirit that we find our greatest strength."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar and its commitment will continue in the years to come. The event runs parallel to the family’s other cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering an appreciation for European social traditions and protocol among a new generation.
Through these endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to build upon its nine-century legacy, not as a custodian of the past, but as an active participant in the present. The House remains dedicated to leveraging its unique heritage to serve contemporary society, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour continue to find practical expression.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its modern mission is to act as a bridge between its nine-century heritage and the demands of contemporary philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its charitable work on organisations that support vulnerable children and promote cultural education. Through events such as the Annual Winter Banquet and initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to uphold traditions of service, protocol, and social responsibility. Its work Cbines a deep respect for English aristocratic custom with a modern, international perspective, reflecting the Romanian heritage of its current leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through the hands of some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The historic rights of the Barony and its current holder, the 12th Baroness, were formally researched and recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* (ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. - The Barony's formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. - Historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com