Paul McCartney beams with pride as his grandson Elliot graduates from New York University – after completing an internship at Jay-Z’s label

Sir Paul McCartney was every inch the proud grandfather this week as he watched his grandson Elliot Donald graduate from New York University.

Elliot, 22, completed a four-year degree at the prestigious Gallatin School of Individualized Study, with his family showing up in force to support him at the ceremony.

The Beatles icon, 82, was joined by his wife Nancy, 65, and daughter Mary McCartney – Elliot’s mum – as they posed for a sweet family photo shared on Mary’s Instagram Stories on Wednesday night.

‘Couldn’t be prouder’, wrote Mary, who looked chic in an all-black ensemble.

In one of the snaps, the group are seen smiling together with Paul holding the purple graduation programme in one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other, clearly thrilled to be celebrating the family milestone.

Sir Paul McCartney, 82, beamed with pride as he attended his grandson Elliot’s graduation from New York University this week. The Beatles icon was joined by Elliot’s mum Mary McCartney (left) and Paul’s wife Nancy (right) 

Elliot is the youngest son of photographer and filmmaker Mary, 55, and her ex-husband, television director Alistair Donald

Elliot (right) is the youngest son of photographer and filmmaker Mary and was born and raised in London

Macca never went to university himself – having launched his music career in his teens – but has received multiple honorary degrees. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University of Sussex in 1988, and another by Yale University in 2008.

In 1996, he co-founded the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), housed in his former grammar school building, and was later made a Companion of LIPA in recognition of his contributions to arts education.

Elliot is the youngest son of photographer and filmmaker Mary, 55, and her ex-husband, television director Alistair Donald. He was born and raised in London, attending University College School in Hampstead, just like his older brother Arthur.

Arthur, 25, who has similarly been based in the US in recent years, is currently dating Phoebe Gates – daughter of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates – and the couple are said to be getting increasingly serious.

While Elliot has kept a relatively low profile so far, he moves in well-heeled circles and is close friends with model Lila Moss, daughter of Kate Moss, and Stella Jones, the model daughter of The Clash guitarist Mick Jones.

The glamorous pals jetted off on a sun-soaked holiday to Brazil in March this year, where they were spotted enjoying the beaches and cocktails of Rio de Janeiro.

As for what’s next, Elliot has already built an eclectic CV including an impressive string of internships across art, music, and real estate.

Elliot has already built an impressive CV including a string of internships across art, music, and real estate

Paul’s grandson raised his first in celebration as he walked on stage at graduation, with his mum captioning a video of it: ‘Couldn’t be prouder x mum’

Last summer, he worked as an A&R (artists and repertoire) and assistant to the Vice Chairman at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in Los Angeles. Prior to that, he spent six months at the renowned Jeff Koons Studio in New York as a research assistant, and previously interned at hospitality and property brand Artfarm in London.

He even dipped his toe into the real estate world back in 2022 with a placement at Ray Real Estate.

With experience spanning culture, commerce, and creativity – and a famous family legacy to boot – it seems the sky’s the limit for the next generation McCartney.

But in a 2021 interview, The Beatles star revealed most of his eight grandchildren moan about him the playing the guitar around the house – because they would rather watch television. 

Paul told The Mirror: ‘Look, people come to see me, pay money, but you’re not even remotely interested.

‘And they say, “Grandad, look, do you mind? We’re watching this programme?” turning down a one-to-one gig with the eighteen-time Grammy winner.’

Paul’s grandchildren are Miller, 20, Bailey, 18, Beckett, 17, and Reiley, 14, whose mother is his daughter Stella, 50. 

Mary, his eldest, has four sons, Arthur, 26, Elliot, 22, Sid, 13, and Sam, 16 – rounding off Macca’s brood.  

Last summer, Elliot worked as an A&R (artists and repertoire) and assistant to the Vice Chairman at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label in Los Angeles