Natalie Biden quickly learned that there were some perks of her grandfather being the president’s second-in-command. In 2010, she got to perform the ceremonial kick-off during a Major League Soccer game in Philly. She’s apparently a big fan of the sport; according to a blog post on the White House website, First Lady Jill Biden sent Beau Biden pictures from his kids’ soccer matches after he was deployed to Iraq in 2008.
Beau served as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard, and his year-long stint overseas served as the inspiration for Jill’s children’s book, “Don’t Forget, Nana, God Bless Our Troops.” In a 2012 AP interview (via The Gainesville Sun), Jill revealed that Natalie uttered the words of the title after Jill failed to properly complete their bedtime prayers one evening. The book features a main character named Natalie whose father is also in the military. Jill consulted with her granddaughter while writing it and even included some of Natalie’s artwork in the finished product.
Beau returned home in September 2009, so he got to participate in one of Natalie’s favorite holiday traditions. In a 2021 “Today” interview, she said that she loved doing a polar plunge with her dad, grandpa, uncle, and cousin Maisy when the family celebrated Thanksgiving in Nantucket. “It would always be crazy because they would have to bring all of the divers and the swimmers for secret service for my pop,” Maisy said.
