THE EU: For the crowning moment in a European political career, there could be no better setting that the Coronation Room in the Town Hall of Aachen, home of Charlemagne, Europe's first great integrator.
Pat Cox beamed as he sat on the podium, waiting to become the first Irishman to receive the Charlemagne Prize, an award established in 1950 to honour those who promote the cause of European unity.
"There he is, Pat Cox, sitting on Charlemagne's throne," said Mr Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who gave a warm, witty appraisal of Mr Cox's career in Europe.
The day began at Aachen Cathedral with a pontifical Mass during which the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, impressed everyone by delivering a sermon in flawless German.
The ceremony in the town hall was more relaxed, with the cathedral's boy choristers singing pro-European tunes from a "Euro-musical" called Wir Bauen Europa (We're Building Europe).
Before Mr Cox received his award, children processed towards the stage bearing roses, along with the flags of the EU's 25 member-states.
Afterwards, the choir sang Ev'ry Person in the Nation, an "Irish folksong" nobody recognised until we realised it was set to the tune of The Irish Washerwoman.
"The Irish washerwoman has come up in the world, like the rest of the country," whispered one guest.
The European Affairs Minister, Mr Dick Roche, represented the Government, and the German government was represented by the economics minister, Mr Wolfgang Clement.
Mr Cox was also joined by members of his family and a group of his most loyal political supporters from Munster.
The last group proved invaluable when the outgoing president did a walkabout through the centre of Aachen, starting a lively singsong at a street festival in the town square.
Mr Cox was applauded everywhere he went, and local people said they had not enjoyed the award ceremony so much for years.
He was clearly moved by the ceremony and was undoubtedly sincere when he spoke of feeling humble in the company of his illustrious predecessors.
He was not too humble, however, to remember that he is campaigning for an appointment that will be decided by just 25 people in Brussels next month.
Pat Cox wants to succeed Romano Prodi as president of the European Commission, and yesterday's event, which was broadcast live on television throughout Germany, can only improve his position in the race.
The ceremony gave his admirers an opportunity to list his virtues and to highlight his achievements as one of the most successful ever presidents of the European Parliament.
It also gave Mr Cox a chance to show himself to his best advantage, an opportunity he seized successfully in a fine speech that articulated Europe's fundamental values in eloquent, attractive language.
He spoke of how membership of the EU had transformed Ireland, both economically and in terms of self-esteem.