Sting awarded honorary doctorate

Singer-songwriter Sting was given an honorary doctorate in his home city today.

The former bassist and lead singer with The Police was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music by Newcastle University.

The honour was conferred by the Chancellor of Newcastle University, Lord Patten of Barnes, at a ceremony in the University’s King’s Hall.

Accepting the honour, world-music fan Sting said: “It is very exciting to see the diversity of music being studied at Newcastle University, with developments like the folk and traditional music degree now being taught alongside classical and popular music.”

Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police chief, was also given an honorary degree at the ceremony.