Honorary Doctor

A break from routine today. Not the White Paper, though that has been an event in itself.

Instead I was delighted to attend the graduation ceremony at Edinburgh University today when a cousin -Roy Foster, Professor of Irish History at Oxford - received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Great event for him, the family and also of course for all those graduating from 140 countries.

Lunch beforehand with Roy's wife Aisling, Prof Alvin Jackson and Owen Dudley Edwards made for a very enjoyable and literary day.

Roy is in scarlet at the front of the group with a former colleague from work , Sarah, just behind him in her role as secretary of the university.

Back to work tomorrow!