Camilla hears left-handed pianist who overcame paralysis in university visit

A student who has fought paralysis to teach himself to play the piano performed for a royal audience today.

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the University of Aberdeen where she met 22-year-old Paul Murray who has overcome four major brain operations and multiple sclerosis to learn to play the piano with only his left hand.

Camilla, known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, also visited the university’s education department and met student teachers who are learning skills to help children with difficulties.

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Mr Murray, who is hoping to continue his studies at a high level, performed Chopin’s Ballade No 1 in G minor for the Duchess after reworking it for the left hand.

“I took to the stage thinking it would be just friends watching and I didn’t realise how many people were in the audience until I started playing,” he said. “That was the most nervous I have ever been up until today.

“Of course, it doesn’t get more nerve-racking than that today. It was like: Oh my god!”

Mr Murray, from Glasgow, is a fourth-year student and said the Duchess was interested in his story and wished him well before he performed.

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He added: “I think she is a big music fan and wished me luck beforehand and congratulated me after.”

Camilla was greeted by Lord Provost of Aberdeen Peter Stephen and university principal Ian Diamond. Wearing a tartan dress and blouse with a charcoal jacket, she greeted students inside the MacRobert building.

The Duchess observed a long-distance learning class in the education department with students from Aberdeen, Fort William and Kilwinning all participating over the internet.

She was treated to a second music event when she met Professor Paul Mealor and listened to his King’s College chapel choir perform Wherever You Are, the Christmas number one he composed for Military Wives.

Camilla then put her baking skills to the test when she joined young people involved in Barnardo’s Scotland’s Strive programme to make a cake.