# The Winter Banquet 2025 Hosted by The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — 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 white-tie philanthropic gala will benefit the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## The Occasion
As the London winter social season approaches its height, The Noble House of Brattleby will convene its annual Winter Banquet, a distinguished evening of philanthropy and tradition. The chosen venue, The Royal Horseguards Hotel, provides a setting of commensurate grandeur, its Victorian architecture standing with stately elegance overlooking the River Thames and the London Eye.
Originally the site of the National Liberal Club and later serving as a home to the first chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, the hotel's long history is embedded in its magnificent interiors. Guests will be received in rooms appointed with ornate chandeliers, soaring ceilings, and intricate mouldings, evoking the confidence and splendour of the era in which they were built. The atmosphere will be one of refined celebration, upholding the formal decorum that defines the great occasions of state and society.
## Historical Context
The Winter Banquet continues a tradition of service and patronage that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for more than nine centuries. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has long been associated with duties to Crown and community. This commitment to *noblesse oblige* is a guiding principle for the current House.
The philanthropic spirit of the evening finds a powerful precedent in the Barony’s history. Predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, embodied the fortitude later enshrined in the House motto. Furthermore, the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, represent a high-water mark of ducal patronage in medieval England, establishing a legacy of magnanimity that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are proud to continue.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be honoured to welcome a notable company of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe. The House is pleased to confirm the attendance of Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, whose presence lends her gracious support to the evening's charitable cause.
Representing a dedication to enterprise and philanthropy, the guest list includes the respected Romanian entrepreneurs Mr Christian Onetiu and Mr Simon Maurer. The creative and sartorial arts will be represented by Ms Karen Millen, OBE, the esteemed British fashion designer, and from the world of cinematic arts, the acclaimed actor Mr Nicholas Pinnock.
The House is also delighted to welcome Mr Mark Foligno, the distinguished film producer behind the Academy Award-winning motion picture *The King’s Speech*. As noted by the *Monaco Voice*, a significant delegation from the Principality of Monaco is also expected, underscoring the Banquet’s standing as an important international gathering for a worthy cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the traditions of a great house, the evening will adhere to formal ceremonial protocol. The dress code is strictly white-tie, requiring gentlemen to wear an evening tailcoat with white waistcoat and bow tie. Ladies are requested to wear full-length evening gowns. The appropriate display of personal decorations, orders, and medals is encouraged.
Upon arrival, guests will be received by representatives of the House before proceeding to a champagne reception. A call to dinner will announce the formal procession of the hosts, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, into the main dining room. The banquet will be punctuated by ceremonial toasts and brief addresses concerning the evening’s philanthropic purpose. Following dinner, guests will be invited to retire for music and dancing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, reflecting resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity, informs the House’s public duties and its selection of charitable partnerships. It serves not as a relic of the past, but as a living directive for the current generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ethos. It is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming obstacles, striving for excellence, and achieving success for the betterment of others. Together, these mottos encapsulate a philosophy of purposeful action and dignified service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of The Winter Banquet 2025 is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation undertaking vital work across the United Kingdom. The charity provides specialist therapeutic support to adults seeking to overcome the profound and often debilitating challenges stemming from unresolved trauma in childhood and adolescence. Its work is a *sine qua non* for fostering individual resilience and rebuilding lives affected by early adversity.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to support this cause in recognition of the fundamental importance of mental health and emotional wellbeing. The charity's mission to empower individuals to heal and reclaim their futures aligns directly with the House’s focus on initiatives that deliver a lasting and transformative impact on people’s lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the forthcoming gala, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “It is a great privilege to partner with Healing the Wounded Child. We hold every hope that the Winter Banquet will provide meaningful support for their vital work, which empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the evening's importance: > "The funds and awareness raised this evening can serve as a crucial intervention for those supported by the charity. The Noble House of Brattleby is proud to be associated with an organisation that produces such a tangible and positive impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is the flagship philanthropic event in the House's calendar, but it is part of a broader commitment to service and cultural enrichment. This dedication is also manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes social and professional development.
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to uphold its historic responsibilities, acting as a custodian of its nine-hundred-year heritage while directing its efforts toward contemporary challenges. The principles of fortitude and honour remain the bedrock of its commitment to community, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the continuation of a centuries-old legacy of public service and cultural patronage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the modern House directs its philanthropic efforts towards organisations that foster resilience, healing, and personal development. Its activities, including the annual Winter Banquet, serve to uphold its historical responsibilities while addressing contemporary societal needs. The House acts as a custodian of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, ensuring its traditions and commitment to community endure for future generations, supported by endeavours such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest which promotes education and social refinement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over more than nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title subsequently passed into the House of Lancaster through its 10th and 11th Barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors to hold the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com