Entertainment
Princess Anne adds royal badge to Jackie Bird’s storied career
Veteran broadcaster Jackie Bird has added a royal accolade to her impressive career, receiving an MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle.
The journalist was a familiar face on Reporting Scotland for more than 30 years and was honoured for her services to broadcasting and charitable work.
Bird has served as president of the National Trust for Scotland since 2022, also played a key role hosting BBC Scotland’s Children in Need over the years.
“I’m absolutely thrilled completely surprised and delighted,” she said after the ceremony, her signature warmth shining through.
Her career began at DC Thomson’s Jackie magazine, where she climbed the ranks to become pop editor before moving across print and radio, including stints at The Sun and Radio Clyde.
She later cut her teeth at Television South Maidstone before landing at BBC Scotland in October 1989 that would define her career.
Over three decades, Bird guided viewers through some of Scotland’s most momentous events.
Her reporting brought clarity, compassion, and authority to homes across the nation.