An honorary degree ceremony is one of the most visually striking and historically layered events in academic life. It involves processions in medieval regalia, Latin citations, hooding rituals, and speeches that range from the formal to the deeply personal. For recipients, it is a moment of public recognition. For observers, it can seem opaque — a swirl of scarlet gowns, gold tassels, and unfamiliar phrases. This guide explains what actually happens at an honorary degree ceremony, from the moment the procession forms to the final toast, drawing on the traditions of universities in the UK, the US, and beyond.
The Academic Procession: Order, Regalia, and Ritual
Most honorary degree ceremonies begin with a formal procession. This is not a casual walk to the stage — it is a choreographed event with historical rules about who walks where, in what order, and wearing what.
Oxford’s Encaenia
At the University of Oxford, honorary degrees are conferred at the annual Encaenia ceremony, held in the Sheldonian Theatre — a venue that has hosted the ceremony in some form since 1670 [citation:1]. The day begins with a procession of university dignitaries and honorary degree recipients walking through the city in full academic dress. Before the main ceremony, recipients sign their names in the Honorary Degrees Book at the Divinity School, a formal record of their recognition [citation:1].
Cambridge’s Honorary Degree Congregation
At Cambridge, the Chancellor’s Procession makes its way from a College to Senate-House Yard, led by two Esquire Bedells carrying the University’s silver maces. A second procession forms simultaneously, consisting of Heads of Colleges, professors, higher doctors, the University Librarian, and members of the University Council. Both processions walk around the Yard before entering the Senate House, greeted by a fanfare of trumpets [citation:16].
Regalia at Cambridge
The gowns worn by honorary graduands at Cambridge are scarlet, with silk linings and facings of different colours according to the degree concerned. The MusD robe is an exception — cream damask with cherry-red linings. Round bonnets are worn, of black velvet with gold cords and tassels, except for the DD degree, which has a special square cap in black velvet. Honorary graduands do not wear hoods to graduate at Cambridge [citation:16].
The Regalia: Gowns, Hoods, and Tams
Academic regalia at honorary degree ceremonies follows codes that date back centuries. The specifics vary by institution, but certain principles apply.
The Gown
Honorary degree recipients are typically provided with a black doctor’s gown with black-velvet facings and sleeve chevrons, at the institution’s expense. The recipient is hooded with the school’s doctors’ hood trimmed in the appropriate faculty color [citation:7]. In some cases, the recipient may wear the school’s own doctors’ gown.
The Hood
The hood is the most symbolic element of doctoral regalia. At West Virginia University, honorary degree recipients receive the school’s official doctor’s hood trimmed entirely in black velvet or black velvet with the appropriate faculty color binding — not the Ph.D. blue [citation:7]. The faculty color indicates the discipline: for example, Theology is scarlet, Law is purple, and Arts/Letters/Humanities is white [citation:17].
The Headwear
All academic costumes require headwear. The most popular choice for honorary degree recipients is a velvet tam with a short gold tassel, though some schools use a mortarboard with a gold- or black-thread tassel [citation:7].
Special Cases
If the recipient already holds an earned Ph.D. and owns a black doctoral gown, it can be worn for the occasion — but the hood should be left behind, as the honoree will be ceremonially hooded as part of the proceedings [citation:7].
What Honorary Degree Recipients Typically Wear
- Gown: Black doctor’s gown with velvet facings
- Hood: School’s official doctor’s hood, trimmed in black velvet or faculty color
- Headwear: Velvet tam with gold tassel, or mortarboard
- Note: Honorary hoods do not use Ph.D. blue
The Citation: What It Is and How It Works
The citation is the formal statement of why the recipient is being honored. It is read aloud during the ceremony and often published in the program and institutional records.
The Purpose of the Citation
According to the University of Manitoba’s nomination guidelines, the citation is “a statement of the significance of the candidate’s work.” It is “intended to state very briefly why a candidate should be elected” and “should establish that the candidate has achieved such distinction as described in the relevant Honorary Degree policy” [citation:3].
The citation serves multiple functions: it informs the committee that votes on the nomination, it provides the basis for the oral citation at convocation, and it becomes part of the permanent record of the award [citation:3].
Length and Content
Length requirements vary. The University of Manitoba asks for a citation of 200 words, concentrating on the candidate’s original contributions [citation:3]. The citation should be “as readable as possible while sufficiently technical in content” to allow for confident assessment [citation:3].
The Oral Citation
At the ceremony itself, the citation may be read by an Orator or another university official. At Cambridge, the University’s Orator makes a speech in Latin marking the achievements of each honorand before the degree is conferred [citation:16]. At other institutions, the citation may be read in English by the President, Chancellor, or a designated faculty member.
The Conferral: Hooding and the Latin Formula
The moment of conferral is the heart of the ceremony. It is brief, formal, and deeply symbolic.
The Latin Formula
At Cambridge, the Chancellor stands, takes the recipient by the right hand, and confers the degree using a prescribed Latin formula. The proceedings are conducted in Latin throughout. The Registrary presents the Chancellor with a copy of the detailed programme, and the Proctors announce the business of the day — to confer honorary doctorates [citation:16].
Authority for the degrees has already been obtained at a separate Congregation months beforehand, so there is no possibility of a challenge or vote at the ceremony itself [citation:16].
Hooding
The hooding is often the most visually memorable part of the ceremony. At institutions like West Virginia University, the recipient is ceremonially hooded as part of the proceedings. If the recipient is already wearing a doctoral gown from their own earned degree, the hood is still conferred by the institution [citation:7].
Absence Rules
At Cambridge, honorary degrees cannot be conferred in absence. If the approved recipient is absent, no degree is conferred [citation:16]. This is a stricter rule than at some institutions, where degrees may be conferred in absentia under special circumstances.
The Conferral Sequence at Cambridge
- Proctors announce the business of the day
- Registrary presents the programme to the Chancellor
- A short musical recital
- Each honorand is led forward to stand before the Chancellor
- The Orator delivers a Latin speech on the honorand’s achievements
- The recipient goes forward; the Chancellor takes their right hand
- The degree is conferred using the prescribed formula
- Applause; the new graduate sits to the Chancellor’s right
The Speeches: Acceptance Addresses and Their Role
Not every honorary degree ceremony includes a speech by the recipient. At Cambridge, “no other speeches are made” during the main ceremony beyond the Orator’s Latin citations [citation:16]. At many American institutions, however, the honorary degree recipient delivers a commencement address to the graduating class.
The Commencement Address Tradition
When honorary degree recipients do speak, their addresses often blend personal reflection with advice to graduates. Viola Davis, receiving an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute in 2025, told graduates: “You have to know that you have the power within you to make it, whatever that making it means” [citation:4]. In her speech, she reflected on the purpose of art: “You are creating stories so people do not feel alone” [citation:4].
Walter Murch, also honored at the same ceremony, offered a different tone: “Your guts are going to be tested as soon as you leave this theater. There’s a storm brewing out there, politically, environmentally, cinematically and every other kind of mentality you can think of. I salute your bravery” [citation:4].
Acceptance Speeches at UK Ceremonies
At UK universities, the pattern varies. Anne Wafula Strike, receiving an honorary degree from the University of Essex, delivered an acceptance speech that thanked the university, acknowledged her father’s influence, and urged graduates to “be the change they want to see” [citation:19]. She spoke of her journey from a mud hut in rural Kenya to becoming a Paralympian and campaigner, telling graduates: “No matter what your dream is pursue it” [citation:19].
After the Ceremony: The Garden Party
At Cambridge, after the ceremony, the Chancellor retires to change from the State Robe into a scarlet doctoral gown, then returns to host a garden party on the lawn. During the garden party, the Chancellor makes a brief speech and proposes a toast to the new graduates. One of the graduates then replies with a short speech and a toast to the University [citation:16].
Variations by Country and Institution
United Kingdom
UK ceremonies tend to be formal, often with Latin elements, and may not include a speech by the recipient. The focus is on the citation, the conferral, and the institutional ritual. Cambridge’s ceremony is entirely in Latin, while Oxford’s Encaenia includes a procession through the city [citation:1][citation:16].
United States
US ceremonies are typically integrated into commencement exercises, with honorary degree recipients often delivering the commencement address. The tone is more celebratory and less formal than at Oxford or Cambridge. Regalia follows the American academic costume code, with hoods in faculty colors [citation:7].
Other Traditions
Institutions worldwide adapt these traditions. At some universities, honorary degrees are conferred at special Congregations separate from regular graduation ceremonies. At others, they are part of the annual commencement. The common thread is the citation, the conferral, and the public recognition of the recipient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an honorary degree citation?
The citation is the formal statement of why the recipient is being honored. It is read during the ceremony and often published in the program. It should be concise (often around 200 words) and focus on the candidate’s original contributions [citation:3].
What do honorary degree recipients wear?
Recipients typically wear a black doctor’s gown with velvet facings, the institution’s official doctor’s hood (not Ph.D. blue), and a velvet tam with a gold tassel or a mortarboard [citation:7].
Do honorary degree recipients give a speech?
It depends on the institution. At Cambridge, no speeches are made by recipients during the main ceremony beyond the Orator’s citations [citation:16]. At many US institutions, the recipient delivers a commencement address [citation:4].
Can an honorary degree be conferred in absentia?
At Cambridge, no — honorary degrees cannot be conferred in absence [citation:16]. Other institutions may allow it under special circumstances, but attendance is generally expected.
What is the hooding ceremony?
The hooding is the ceremonial placement of the academic hood over the recipient’s shoulders, symbolizing the conferral of the degree. It is often the most visually striking moment of the ceremony [citation:7].
What happens after the ceremony?
At Cambridge, the Chancellor hosts a garden party with a brief speech and toasts. At other institutions, there may be receptions, photographs, and informal celebrations [citation:16].
Are honorary degree ceremonies open to the public?
Generally, attendance is by invitation or ticket, though some institutions allow members of the university community to attend. Cambridge allows staff, students, and alumni to apply for tickets [citation:16].
Why are some ceremonies in Latin?
Latin is the traditional language of European universities. Cambridge conducts its honorary degree ceremonies entirely in Latin as a continuation of this tradition [citation:16].
Final Thoughts (2026)
An honorary degree ceremony is more than a photo opportunity. It is a ritual with centuries of history, governed by rules about regalia, order, and language that vary significantly between institutions and countries.
Key takeaways:
- The procession is a formal, ordered event, often with historical rules about who walks where and in what order
- The regalia follows academic codes: black doctor’s gowns, faculty-colored hoods (not Ph.D. blue), and velvet tams with gold tassels
- The citation is the institution’s formal statement of why the recipient is being honored, often around 200 words
- The conferral may involve a Latin formula, a handshake, and ceremonial hooding
- Speeches are institution-dependent: some ceremonies include a recipient address, others do not
- Variations by country are significant: UK ceremonies tend to be more formal and Latin-inflected; US ceremonies are often integrated into commencement with a speech
For recipients, understanding what to expect — and what is expected of them — makes the experience more meaningful. For observers, knowing the symbolism behind the scarlet gowns and Latin phrases transforms a confusing spectacle into a legible tradition.
— The honorary-doctor.com team, 2026