Queen Beatrix being awarded an honorary degree on 8 February 2005 was a ceremony I will never forget. The entire royal family was present and it was all broadcast live on TV. As the honorary supervisor, I gave the laudatio that summarised how Queen Beatrix had helped uphold our motto Praesidium Libertatis. She then gave a speech outlining the special nature of queenship and what motivated her in this. Beatrix concluded by saying that her office, besides an inspiring mission, also involved ‘éducation permanente’. That éducation, she said, ‘began largely here in Leiden, and it is with all the more pleasure and gratitude that I accept this honorary degree from Leiden University.’
