# The Winter Banquet 2025: A White-Tie Charity Gala at One Whitehall Place
**LONDON, 7 December 2025** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the annual Winter Banquet at One Whitehall Place, London, on 6 December 2025. The white-tie gala raised significant funds and awareness for the mental health charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
On a crisp December evening, as the lights of Westminster cast a glow upon the River Thames, guests arrived at the palatial entrance of One Whitehall Place for the Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby. The venue, a masterpiece of Victorian architecture designed by Alfred Waterhouse, provided a setting of unparalleled magnificence. Its history as the former home of the National Liberal Club endowed the evening with a gravitas befitting the philanthropic purpose at its heart.
Within the Grade I listed building, attendees were welcomed into the Gladstone Library, its towering bookshelves and intricate faience tilework serving as a backdrop for the formal reception. The atmosphere was one of refined warmth and shared purpose, a stark but welcome contrast to the winter chill outside. The principal banqueting hall, with its soaring ceilings, ornate plasterwork, and glittering chandeliers, was prepared for an evening dedicated to celebrating both heritage and a forward-looking commitment to social duty.
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s public engagements, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). It is an event that thoughtfully combines the deep-rooted traditions of a noble English house with a distinctly modern and international philanthropic vision.
## Historical Context
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, which spans almost a millennium, provides a profound context for the evening’s proceedings. The tradition of noblesse oblige—the unwritten obligation of the fortunate to assist those less so—has been a guiding principle since the Barony’s creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a responsibility that came with a duty of care for the lands and their people.
This legacy found expression through subsequent holders of the title. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, demonstrated immense fortitude in her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; her resolve serves as a historic antecedent to the House’s modern support for those fighting personal battles. Later, the Fief of Brattleby passed to towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, both of whom were patrons of the arts and exemplars of chivalric duty.
The 2025 Winter Banquet, therefore, was not merely a social gathering but a contemporary reaffirmation of this ancient lineage of service. The patronage extended by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connects directly to the principles of stewardship and honour that have defined the Barony for over 950 years.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were joined by their heir, the 13th Baron of Brattleby, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who was accompanied by Miss Alina. The presence of the family’s next generation underscored the long-term, multi-generational commitment of the House to its public-facing responsibilities.
They were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from British and international society. Principal among them was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia, whose presence lent a particular distinction to the occasion.
Also in attendance were notable figures from the arts and business, *inter alia*; the celebrated fashion designer Ms Karen Millen, OBE; the critically acclaimed actor Mr Nicholas Pinnock; and the film producer Mr Mark Foligno, whose work on the Academy Award-winning film *The King’s Speech* resonates with the evening’s themes of overcoming personal adversity. They were joined by esteemed Members of the House of Lords, senior members of the London Diplomatic Corps, and leaders from the worlds of finance, architecture, and engineering.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the traditions of a great European house, the evening adhered to a strict ceremonial protocol. The white-tie dress code, the most formal of civil attire, was impeccably observed: gentlemen wore evening tailcoats with white bow ties and waistcoats, while ladies attended in full-length evening gowns. The wearing of decorations, orders, and medals was encouraged, adding to the visual splendour of the occasion.
Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. Following the reception, the call to dinner was made by a toastmaster, who guided the proceedings throughout the evening. The seating arrangement, or *plan de table*, was carefully considered to foster conversation and collegiality among a diverse group of attendees.
The banquet itself was punctuated by a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Speeches were kept brief and purposeful, focusing on the history of the House and the vital work of the evening's charitable beneficiary. Every element of the night, from the musical accompaniment to the order of service, was designed to reflect a standard of precision and dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is visually encapsulated in its heraldic achievements. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), served as the thematic guide for the evening. 'Fortitude' reflects the resilience required to serve and protect, a quality epitomised by Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' speaks to the principled integrity that is the *sine qua non* of true nobility.
This enduring motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which translates as ‘To Conquer is to Live’. In the context of the House’s modern philosophy, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges—whether personal, societal, or philanthropic. Together, the two mottos symbolise a fusion of steadfast duty and dynamic action. These principles guide the House’s engagement in both its historical seat in Lincolnshire and its international initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular objective of the 2025 Winter Banquet was to provide substantive support for Healing the Wounded Child. This registered Community Interest Company undertakes the critical mission of providing global, trauma-informed therapeutic support for children, adolescents, and adults affected by complex mental health conditions. Its work is essential in helping individuals process deep-seated trauma and develop the resilience to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The organisation was chosen by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan for its direct and measurable impact, delivering specialised interventions to those who often have nowhere else to turn. Healing the Wounded Child operates a global support network, leveraging technology to reach vulnerable individuals across geographical and economic barriers, ensuring that expert care is not limited by location.
Funds raised throughout the evening will be directed towards expanding the charity’s virtual outreach programmes and subsidising therapeutic care for families without the means to afford it. The generous lead sponsorship of the firm Magnus Opifex Seven Ltd., alongside the foundational support of the House of Brattleby, was instrumental in ensuring the philanthropic success of the gala.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the assembled guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the enduring relevance of the Barony’s legacy. — “The history of this Barony is not measured simply in years, but in its unwavering commitment to the welfare of others. Tonight, we reaffirm that centuries-old duty by supporting the vital, life-affirming work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation that brings fortitude and restored honour to those who need it most.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile also reflected on the evening's purpose, connecting it to his personal ethos. — “True success, the principle encapsulated in *Vincere Est Vivere*, means overcoming adversity. It is a profound privilege to stand with so many distinguished friends as we collectively seek to help vulnerable children and young people conquer their own profound challenges, enabling them to truly live again.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a focal point of the House of Brattleby’s charitable calendar, but its commitment extends well beyond a single evening. The proceeds from the event will underpin a year-long partnership with Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring a sustainable and lasting impact.
The House’s broader mission also continues through its other initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest, the club serves as an etiquette and protocol academy, promoting the cultivation of social graces and cross-cultural understanding as tools for personal and professional development. This work, alongside the preservation of the heritage of the Barony in Lincolnshire, forms the core of the House's modern purpose: to honour the past while actively building a better future.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial English heritage while pursuing a modern, international philanthropic mission. The House is committed to supporting causes related to mental health, child welfare, and education, applying its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to contemporary challenges. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala in London, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House actively engages in preserving its historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while championing a public-facing role defined by service, principle, and a commitment to cultural diplomacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony 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, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and powerful magnates of the House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historic rights, style, and dignity of the Barony of Brattleby are today vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose succession was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded by The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, a major landholder in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest, as detailed in the Domesday Book (1086). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The charitable beneficiary of the 2025 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a UK-based Community Interest Company providing global mental health support.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com