Berwickshire Lieutenancy

RETIREMENT OF LORD-LIEUTENANT

On 28^th 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.

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 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.

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 it’s community flag with pride.

Thanks to Fallago Environment Fund for helping to fund this competition.