Appointment of Deputy Lieutenant
September 2026: Following consideration by His Majesty The King, the Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire has appointed Captain William Bertram Ramsay of Bughtrig to be a Deputy Lieutenant.
Background: Raised in Berwickshire, Will served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for eight years before founding Affordable Art Fair. He is a trustee of two Berwickshire charities, Paxton House and the Admiral Ramsay Museum, Chair of Berwickshire Races, and Vice-President of Berwickshire Civic Society. He also published the book Historic Houses of Berwickshire and is a member of the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers.
Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire: 16 January 2026
The King has been pleased to appoint Mr Brian Wyndham Payne, MStJ, DL, as His Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire, to succeed Mrs Jeanna Swan following her retirement on 1st March 2026.
Background: Brian was born in Leamington Spa and educated at Aysgarth Prep School and Winchester College, going on to study Geography at Bristol University. Brian then joined The Royal Artillery, serving first in West Germany and then two operational tours in Ulster. He commanded the Left Section and then became Adjutant of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, retiring in 1991 at the rank of Captain. Brian then completed a Diploma in Law at City University, attending the Inns of Court School of Law and becoming a Barrister in 1993. He was a Crown Advocate from 2001-2011 and is currently a Criminal Prosecutor in the Courts in North Eastern England. Brian has served on the board of various charities, including the HighGround Veterans Charity and Berwickshire Civic Society. He led on the introduction of the new ‘Flag for Berwickshire’, closely involving local schools in the process of designing and selecting the flag. Brian was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Berwickshire in 2022
Jeanna Swan retires as Lord-Lieutenant
Mar 12, 2026
On 28th February 2026, Mrs Jeanna Swan CVO stepped down as the Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire. Appointed in April 2014 after the tenure of the late Major Alexander Trotter, Jeanna became the first female Lord-Lieutenant in the history of Berwickshire. Her background as a Veterinary surgeon in the partnership of Renton & Swan gave her unparalleled knowledge of the community in Berwickshire and was seen by many to be an inspired and ground-breaking choice for the appointment.
Her successor is Mr Brian Payne. After a career as a regular army office and then as a barrister specialising in criminal law, Brian settled in Berwickshire where his family have been for nearly a century. Brian has been on the board or chairman of a number of Berwickshire charities and societies and was responsible for organising and delivering the community flag for Berwickshire. Brian said of Jeanna Swan “Jeanna has been an exemplary Lord-Lieutenant who has worked very hard to encourage social cohesion in Berwickshire. She has had to deal with the issues created by the pandemic and the loss of the Late Queen and has done so with tact, good humour and great wisdom. She will be a hard act to follow”.
Jeanna Swan was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the King’s New Year’s Honours List 2026 to mark her service as the Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire.
Our best wishes to King Charles III
Apr 30, 2024
STATEMENT FROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE 5 FEBRUARY 2024
During the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual. The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope that it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.
We all join in sending him and the Royal Family our best wishes as his treatment progresses.
Flag for Berwickshire Competition has a winner!
The new official county flag for Berwickshire! The Berwickshire Civic Society is delighted to finally reveal the Berwickshire flag! The design has now been confirmed by the Court of the Lord Lyon.
View the original competition entry.
In the future, it is hoped to establish a date as Berwickshire Day, when everyone in the county can fly its community flag with pride. Thanks to the Fallago Environment Fund for helping to fund this competition.
Coronation message from HM King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth died peacefully on Thursday 8th September 2022 at Balmoral Castle, aged 96.
Her Majesty has reigned over our country and the Commonwealth for longer than any other monarch, with dignity and a sense of duty.
The Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire and her deputy lieutenants sent condolences to the members of the Royal Family and offered their support and loyalty to King Charles III.
For more information, please click this link to The Royal Family Website
