Orlando Bloom Gets Schooled

Actor receives honorary degree in hometown of Canterbury as fiancée Miranda Kerr and family look on

Better late than never. Both in life and in the school year.

While most matriculating stars delivered their commencement address or clutched their honorary degrees months ago, Orlando Bloom only just got around to picking up his from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, yesterday (we blame the metric system).

"It's a really big deal," Orlando, joined by fiancée Miranda Kerr, his parents and sister, said ahead of the ceremony. "It's an exciting day for me. I'm really honored to be back in my hometown. I have so many amazing memories of the cathedral and Canterbury.

"I have lived near the university so it's like my playground. It's a huge, huge honor and I feel chuffed, as does my mother—nobody more than my mother."

The 33-year-old was one of 340 graduates to take part in yesterday's ceremony. Unlike other stars, Bloom actually has earned one degree pre-stardom, completing his studies at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was unable to attend the ceremony as he was doing some postgrad work on Lord of the Rings at the time.