# Annual Winter Banquet To Support Children Affected by Conflict
LONDON, 6 December 2025 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host their annual Winter Banquet at The Royal Horseguards Hotel this evening, gathering distinguished guests to support the work of the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## The Occasion
The Winter Banquet will be held within the historic precincts of The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a magnificent Grade I listed building overlooking the River Thames. Designed in the French château style, the building at Whitehall Court has served as a centre of London life for over a century; its proximity to the heart of Crown and Government lends the evening a particular sense of occasion.
As Advent commences, guests will be received in rooms imbued with Victorian grandeur, their atmosphere enhanced by the season’s decor. The evening is a white-tie affair, reflecting the formal traditions of a European gala and the serious purpose of its philanthropic mission. The banquet represents a confluence of heritage and modern benevolence, set against a backdrop of quintessential London history.
## Historical Context
The commitment to public service demonstrated by this evening's gala is a contemporary expression of a duty that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony and its holders have long been intertwined with the defence and stewardship of the realm. Its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 records the responsibilities of its first Baron.
This tradition of service was notably embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, both figures of immense influence and patronage. In hosting the Winter Banquet, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile continue this long-established legacy of *noblesse oblige* — the principle that nobility extends beyond privilege to encompass social responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile are honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe. The Principal Guest for the evening is Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, a great-niece of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The presence of Princess Katarina underscores the shared commitment among European houses to humanitarian causes.
Also in attendance will be: - Mrs Karen Millen, OBE, the respected British fashion designer and entrepreneur. - Mr Mark Foligno, the British film producer known for the Academy Award-winning historical drama, *The King's Speech*. - Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the acclaimed British actor. - Mr Christian Onetiu, the Romanian entrepreneur and investor. - Mr Simon Maurer, the distinguished Romanian-German real estate developer.
The assembly of leaders from aristocracy, the arts, and commerce reflects the House of Brattleby’s role as a convenor, uniting diverse talents in the service of a common philanthropic goal.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet adheres to the formal protocol of a traditional European gala. Gentlemen are required to wear evening dress (white-tie), with decorations. Ladies are invited to wear floor-length evening gowns; tiaras may be worn by those with the privilege to do so.
Upon arrival, guests will proceed to a formal reception where they will be presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and to the evening's Principal Guest, Princess Katarina. Following the reception, a procession, led by the hosts and their Principal Guest, will move into the Gladstone Library for dinner. The banquet will commence with Grace, followed by a series of formal toasts to His Majesty The King and to the continued success of the evening's beneficiary. Speeches will be kept brief to allow for conversation and camaraderie, which are a *sine qua non* of such gatherings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and duties of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its coat of arms and motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle is central to the Winter Banquet. ‘Fortitude’ acknowledges the resilience and courage of the young people supported by the beneficiary charity, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the duty of the hosts and their guests to provide support.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ethos. In this context, the motto refers not to military conquest but to the act of conquering adversity. It signifies a profound belief in the human capacity to overcome hardship and to build a new life, a principle that lies at the very heart of the evening’s charitable purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
All proceeds from the Winter Banquet will benefit Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity founded by Ms Maria Elliott. The organisation provides critical, long-term support for individuals who have fled conflict zones, assisting their integration into new societies and professional landscapes.
The charity’s work is highly practical, offering a holistic programme that includes psychological support to process trauma, intensive language tuition, and vocational training tailored to the UK job market. A key focus is on helping qualified professionals, *inter alia*, doctors, engineers, and teachers, to achieve the accreditations required to practise in their new home. This transforms their prospects from mere survival to professional and personal fulfilment. The House of Brattleby has chosen to support this cause for its tangible impact and its alignment with the House’s own commitment to enabling human potential.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening's purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Barony has, for centuries, been a steward of its community. It remains our greatest privilege to continue this tradition of service, bringing friends together in support of those who demonstrate immense fortitude in the face of profound adversity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > True victory is not found in conflict, but in overcoming its consequences. By providing tangible skills and opportunities, we empower individuals to build anew. Our support for Healing the Wounded Child is a practical expression of this belief.
Ms Maria Elliott, Founder of Healing the Wounded Child, stated: > Our mission is to help those displaced by war forge new paths and secure meaningful careers. The generous support of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and all the guests of the Winter Banquet, is invaluable. It enables us to provide the tools and mentorship that truly transform lives.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic programme, which has been actively developed since 2019. The event is one of several initiatives through which the House exercises its commitment to social and cultural development.
This mission also includes The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the House in Bucharest to foster social and professional skills. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile are dedicated to ensuring this legacy of service endures, with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, being prepared for his future responsibilities within the House. The commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the guiding principle for the family's current and future engagements.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s ancient feudal titles. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding the barony’s nine-century legacy of service through contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). With a focus on supporting vulnerable young people and fostering cross-cultural education through enterprises like The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the House seeks to make a tangible, positive impact. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over the centuries, the title passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable barons have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated medieval commander; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) 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 transfer of the title to the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - 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