paul mccartneyPaul McCartney took New York businesswoman Nancy Shevell to her first public event as his girlfriend this week.

Nancy accompanied Paul to an award ceremony at Yale University in Connecticut, where the former Beatle was awarded an honorary doctorate in music.

The couple, who are said to have been friends were a number of years, were first linked romantically last autumn and were spotted looking close on a holiday in the Caribbean in March after Heather Mills‘ financial settlement was finalised - but some see the date as a final confirmation that the pair are dating after six months of rumours.

A source close to the couple is quoted as saying: “With Paul’s divorce [from Heather Mills] finally nearing completion, he’s feeling braver about going public with their romance.

“Nancy is still a bit shy and uncomfortable with all the attention but she’s willing to put up with it to be with Paul.”

Nancy wore a floral summer dress to the event on Monday while Paul wore a traditional black graduation gown and mortarboard hat.

Presenting the award, the instituion’s president Richard Levin told Paul: “You have played every chord, touched every emotion - here, there and everywhere.

“You have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics.”