The former London public schoolboy romancing Joe Biden’s youngest granddaughter: Rugby-playing engineering student Rafael Hajjar joins Natalie Biden, 19, at White House state dinner
- Natalie is the eldest child of the late Beau Biden, who died of cancer in 2015
- It appears that Mr. Hajjar is making rapid progress, with an impeccable academic record
Joe Biden’s granddaughter Natalie stepped out with her boyfriend for the first time last night during an extensive state dinner at the White House.
The 19-year-old posed for photos arm-in-arm with fellow student Rafael Hajjar, who attended top London schools before continuing his studies in the United States.
The brainbox achieved stellar exam results at Wetherby Senior School and Latymer Upper School, before taking short courses in maths and engineering at King’s College London, the University of Westminster and MIT.
His LinkedIn states that he is attending the University of Pennsylvania, just like Miss Biden, but it is unclear whether he has yet enrolled.
His previous academic accolades include gold awards in the Physics and Mathematics Olympiads, with his current focus on cutting-edge topics such as AI and machine learning.
Mr. Hajjar attended the best London schools before continuing his studies in engineering in the United States
Mr. Hajjar went for a traditional tuxedo and appeared calm and relaxed on the red carpet
Miss Biden looked elegant in her white dress as she attended the lavish function in Washington
A debonair profile photo of Mr. Hajjar shows him in a smart navy blue suit, white shirt and blue tie
A keen sportsman, he was part of the Rugby 1st XV Senior Leadership Team at his secondary school, as well as captaining the Football 2nd
Alongside their extended family, President Biden and his wife Jill welcomed the Kenyan president to the White House for the glamorous occasion.
Several other Biden family members in attendance included granddaughter Naomi and her husband Peter, as well as Finnegan Biden.
Melissa Cohen, Hunter Biden’s wife, walked the red carpet solo and did not answer when asked where her husband was. Hunter is on the guest list for the event and he was spotted sitting next to his wife at dinner.
It was Mrs. Biden’s first state dinner and a chance for the president to rally supporters
Other guests were on hand for the event, including singer Don McLean and his young girlfriend. McLean, 78, is 48 years older than his girlfriend Paris Dylan, 30. The American Pie singer was proud to be at the lavish state dinner with his young partner, telling photographers to take their photo.
Dylan wore a bright pink tuxedo-style jacket as a dress, which showed off her long legs.
The Bidens will hold their largest state dinner yet, welcoming 500 guests to the event for Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel. The first couple greeted their guests on the North Lawn. Jill Biden wore a sapphire blue, hand-embroidered evening dress by Sergio Hudson. Rachel Ruto wore a silver dress in traditional Kenyan style.
And Barack Obama made a surprise visit to the glass pavilion on the South Lawn where the dinner took place.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Kenyan President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto to the White House
Melissa Cohen, wife of Hunter Biden, walked the red carpet solo at the state dinner
Musician Don McLean and model Paris Dunn
Bill Clinton sat next to Joe Biden at dinner
British actress Michaela Coel wore a beautiful red dress by a Sudanese designer. She said it was a gift from a friend who wore it as a wedding dress.
‘It’s from a Sudanese friend of mine. She wore it to her wedding and gave it to me,” she said.
‘I’m really excited. This is my first time in Washington,” Coel added. “The closest I’ve been to this is Hamilton the musical.”
Barack Obama stopped by the dinner tent to say hello