Paul McCartney spent a post-Christmas holiday aboard Roman Abramovich’s luxurious private yacht.
Sir Paul, who received an MBE appointment in 1965 and was knighted in 1997, today joined the billionaire Russian-Israeli businessman – who was reported to have withdrawn his UK visa application in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning earlier this year.
The 76-year-old Beatles star spent the holiday in Saint Barthélemy along with his wife Nancy Shevell, 59, and daughter Stella, 47.
Paul McCartney visited Roman Abramovich’s yacht in a post-Christmas holiday to St Barts
Pictured: Sir Paul boarding the yacht to meet with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich
Family affair: Paul was joined on the trip by wife Nancy Shevell (left) and his daughter Stella (right) who were also seen making their way onto the boat
Pictured: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looks on from the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 16, 2016 in London
After withdrawing his application for a UK investor visa following delays, Chelsea FC owner Abramovich applied for Israeli citizenship – which was granted after the mogul proved his Jewish heritage.
The British government launched a crackdown on wealthy investors coming to the country in the wake of the Salisbury poisonings as tensions between the UK and Russia mounted.
Sir Paul made his way onto the boat to enjoy lunch with the Russian mogul, shielding his face with round-framed sunglasses.
The musician was spotted touching down in St Bart’s aboard a private plane on Boxing Day.
Earlier in the day, Sir Paul drove a rental car around St Bart’s wearing a relaxed blue shirt and white shorts while his fashion designer daughter Stella arrived for lunch on Abramovich’s yacht wearing a camel jumpsuit.
Roman Abramovich’s vessel Eclipse was said to cost almost £300million when it was bought in 2010, but upgrades and maintenance mean the overall cost has soared to well over £1billion, according to The Sun
Low-key: Paul cut a casual figure as he arrived at the dock, sporting a classic blue linen shirt with jeans and a hat
Don’t fall! The Beatle managed to steady himself as he arrived for lunch on the private yacht, which belonged to Chelsea FC owner and billionaire Roman Abramovich
Happy: The star finished his low-key look with simple black trainers as he made his way to the edge of the dock to board the lavish vessel
Good spirits: Earlier in the day Paul was seen donning a look far more suitable for the warmer climes, with a pale blue striped shirt and white shorts teamed with black leather sandals
Smile: Paul was seen relaxing in the sunshine as he enjoyed lunch with billionaire Roman and his family
Relaxing: The music legend even drove his own rental car around the town as he enjoyed the post-Christmas getaway
The Eclipse, which is officially registered in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, was delivered to Abramovich in December 2010.
At 533ft vessel is the world’s second-largest privately owned motor yacht – the first being the 590ft Azzam owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Eclipse features two helipads, 24 guest cabins, two pools, several jacuzzis, an on-board club, a submarine and three fast launch boats to carry passengers ashore in smaller ports.
The vessel reportedly requires 70 staff members to operate it and serve guests.
Celebrities including Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry are among those who have partied on the boat, which is reputed to cost £50 million each year.
The vessel was said to cost roughly £300million when it was bought in 2010, but upgrades and maintenance mean the overall cost has soared to well over £1billion, according to The Sun.
Earlier this year it was reported that Abramovich became an Israeli citizen one month after his visa application was delayed.
He exercised his right under Israel’s Law of Return policy – which states Jews from anywhere in the world can become citizen’s of the country.
Israeli citizens are permitted to travel to Britain without a visa and stay as long as six months, whereas Russians are required to apply for a visa from the British Embassy in Moscow.