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Jackie Bird accepts MBE from Princess Royal at Windsor Castle

News imagePA Media Jackie Bird, who has red hair, smiles at the camera as she shows off her MBE. It is in its case and attached toa ribbon with a bow feature. Jackie is wearing a black jacket and black fascinator. She has a string of pearls around her neck.PA Media

Jackie Bird, the face of BBC Scotland News for more than 30 years, has accepted her MBE from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle.

The 63-year-old, who formerly presented the BBC's Reporting Scotland, has become a Member of the British Empire for services to broadcasting and to charities.

She also presented BBC Scotland's Children In Need show for a number of years and has been president of the National Trust for Scotland since 2022.

On hearing she was to receive the honour she said: "I'm thrilled. Absolutely surprised and thrilled."

News imagePA Media The Princess Royal shakes hands with Jackie Bird during the ceremony inside Windsor Castle. The princess is wearing a formal black navy uniform with gold braids. Jackie Bird is wearing a black suit and a black fascinator. The walls are goldenPA Media
Jackie Bird was awarded her MBE by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle
News imagePA Media Jackie Bird smiles at the Princess Royal after receiving her MBE from the Princess Royal which is displayed on her lapel, attached to a pink ribbon in the shape of a bow. Jackie is wearing a dark blue or black suit with a white top underneath. She has a string of pearls around her neck. You can only see the back of the Princess RoyalPA Media
Jackie Bird was given the honour for services to broadcasting and charities

Jackie grew up in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, and began working for Jackie magazine at DC Thomson at the age of 17, eventually becoming its pop editor.

She also had stints at Radio Clyde, The Sun and Television South Maidstone before joining BBC Scotland in October 1989.

She became the main presenter on Reporting Scotland, covering major news stories, including the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and Dunblane school shootings in 1996.

Jackie Bird's 30 years at the BBC

Jackie was also at the forefront of coverage of the devolution referendum in 1997 and the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.

She fronted many annual Scottish TV events such as Hogmanay and the World Pipe Band contest for the BBC.

She stepped down from presenting the news in April 2019.

The honours system

News imagePA Media A number of different medals on a red and black uniform PA Media

Commonly awarded ranks:

  • Companion of honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name
  • Knight or Dame
  • CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire
  • MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire
  • BEM - British Empire Medal