Dr Williams was enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury in February

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been handed a special honour by the University of Wales.

Dr Rowan Williams, known for his liberal views, was presented with an honorary doctorate at a ceremony in Bangor on Saturday.

In February, he became the first Welshman to lead the Church of England when he was enthoned as the 104th Archbishop.

The doctorate of divinity was awarded in recognition of Dr Williams' services to theology.

The former archbishop of Wales, who was born in Swansea, first studied theology while at Christ's College, Cambridge, in the early 1970s.

He then carried out research on Christianity in Russia, and spent two years as a lecturer at Mirfield Theological College near Leeds.

A six-year stint as Professor of Theology at Oxford followed, before he was enthroned as Bishop of Monmouth in 1992 and archbishop of Wales in 2000.

'Exceptional contributions'

Other people honoured at the ceremony included Carla Del Ponte, who led the prosecution in two high-profile genocide tribunals.

She was Chief Prosecutor in the case against former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic for crimes against humanity at The Hague.

She also tried defendants the ethnic attrocities which took place in Rwanda.

Ms Del Ponte was given an honorary doctorate of laws in recognition of her contribution to international justice.

Dr David Roberts, registrar at the University of Wales, Bangor, said they were delighted to host the ceremony.

He added they were "celebrating the exceptional contributions made by the individuals being honoured".

Last week, Dr Rowan Williams performed the ancient Maundy Thursday feet-washing ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral for the first time in 400 years.

Dr Rowan Williams, assisted by chief clergymen, washed the feet of 12 members of the congregation during the sermon after a day of Maundy Thursday traditions throughout the UK.