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

Joe Biden's granddaughter Natalie stepped out with her boyfriend for the first time last night at a lavish White House state dinner.

The 19-year-old posed for pictures arm-in-arm with fellow student Rafael Hajjar, who attended top London schools before continuing his studies stateside.

The brainbox achieved stellar exam results at Wetherby Senior School and Latymer Upper School, before taking short courses in maths and engineer at King's College London, the University of Westminster and MIT.

His LinkedIn states he is heading to the University of Pennsylvania like Miss Biden, but it is unclear if he is enrolled yet.

Among his earlier academic awards are gold awards in physics and maths olympiads, with his focus currently on cutting-edge topics like AI and machine learning.

Mr Hajjar attended top London schools before continuing his studies in engineering stateside 

Mr Hajjar went for a traditional tuxedo, and appeared calm and relaxed at the red carpet event

Miss Biden looked elegant in her white gown as she attended the lavish function in Washington

A debonair profile photo of Mr Hajjar shows him in a dapper navy suit, white shirt and blue tie

A keen sportsman, he was on the Rugby 1st XV Senior Leadership Team at his senior school, and also captained the Football 2nd XI, while he speaks French, Spanish and Arabic as well as English.

His father, banker Fares Hajjar is the global head of Credit Trading.

Fares also spent time at Credit Lyonnais Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.

He has also spent time working in the US and also studied Electrical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

As well as their large extended family, President Biden and his wife Jill welcomed Kenya's 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, the wife of Hunter Biden, walked the red carpet solo, not answering when asked where her husband was. Hunter is on the guest list for the event and he was spotted seated beside his wife at the dinner.

It was Miss Biden's first State Dinner, and an opportunity for the President to rally supporters

Other guests coupled up 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 get a photo.

Dylan wore a hot pink tuxedo style jacket as a dress, showing off her long legs. 

The Bidens are holding their largest state dinner to date, 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 gown 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 was taking place.  

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Kenya's President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto to the White House 

Melissa Cohen, wife of Hunter Biden, walked red carpet solo at the state dinner

Musician Don McLean and model Paris Dunn

Bill Clinton sat next to Joe Biden at the dinner

British actress Michaela Coel, wore a stunning 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 had to this is Hamilton the musical.'

Barack Obama stopped by the dinner tent to say hi