Paul McCartney's public love

May 29, 2008, 12:00 GMT

04/23/2008 - Paul McCartney - Linda McCartney Photographs - Private View - Arrivals - Hyman Gallery - London, England © Solarpix / PR Photos

Sir Paul McCartney has made his first public appearance with his new girlfriend.

The Beatles legend was accompanied by 47-year-old multi-millionaire heiress Nancy Shevell as he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from Connecticut's Yale University on Monday (26.05.08).

The couple's public debut comes just two weeks after McCartney's divorce from Heather Mills was finalised after a bitter 18-month battle.

McCartney wore traditional graduation robes as he accepted the honour from the university's president Richard Levin, who told him: "You have played every chord, touched every emotion - here, there and everywhere. You have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics."

McCartney and Shevell were first pictured together last November enjoying a passionate embrace in the singer's car.

They also went on holiday together in the Caribbean last month, where they enjoyed romantic walks together along the beach.

McCartney - who was recently romantically linked to actress Rosanna Arquette and Olympic horse rider Tanya Larrigan - paid Mills £24.3 million in their divorce settlement.

As the first pictures of McCartney and Shevell emerged, Mills was photographed on holiday in Tenerife, where she appeared relaxed while lounging by the swimming pool and listening to music on her MP3 player.

McCartney and Mills have a four-year-old daughter together, Beatrice.

(C) BANG Media International