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Ian McKellen receives honorary doctorate: Cambridge University hoists LGBT rainbow flag in actor’s honour

The 75-year-old Lord of the Rings actor, whose full title is Dr. Sir Ian McKellen, is now a doctor twice over

Jenn Selby
Tuesday 24 June 2014 13:34 BST
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Ian McKellen has received yet another honorary doctorate – this time from his alma mater, Cambridge University.

The 75-year-old Lord of the Rings actor, whose full title is Dr. Sir Ian McKellen, also had a rainbow flag hoisted above the buildings in honour of his continued campaigning for LGBT rights.

“I am now an honorary Doctor of Letters at Cambridge University UK. My old college St Catharine's celebrated by flying the rainbow flag,” he captioned a beaming image of himself, standing outside St Catharine's, posted via his official Facebook account.

The classically trained actor once studied English literature at the academic institution.

The award makes McKellen is an honorary doctor twice over – he received his first doctorate from the University of Ulster in Ireland last year.

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