Japan’s Crown Prince Fumihito visited Thailand to receive an honorary doctorate in animal science from Naresuan University on February 27.

The crown prince launched a joint research project with Thailand’s Princess Sirindhorn and received the doctorate for academic research on the evolution of fish and chickens as well as on morphological developments.

At the ceremony, Fumihito said that the degree was not conferred on him alone but honors the efforts of the many Japanese and Thai people who worked on the project.

The event marks the 12th honorary doctorate that he has received from a Thai university.

The crown prince studied zoology at the University of Oxford in 1988 and maintains a strong interest in animal sciences to this day.