Jill and Ashley Biden embraced some quiet moments together during the Thanksgiving holiday, enjoying a short beach walk on Nantucket before the holiday festivities wrapped up.
The Daily Mail reported that the Bidens spent time together on Nantucket, including a walk on the beach, shopping downtown, and attending local holiday events, before departing on Saturday evening.
On Saturday, Jill and Ashley Biden took a brief walk along their private beach in Nantucket, just hours before they were set to leave the island. The walk, lasting only about 12 minutes, was made more brisk by the windy conditions.
As they strolled, Ashley Biden picked up small items from the sand, likely sea shells, while both women dressed warmly in long puffer coats to shield themselves from the chilly weather. Jill Biden wore workout clothes and sneakers, preparing for a quick outing rather than a long walk.
The women were accompanied by a few Secret Service agents, keeping watch over the short stroll. Three Coast Guard gunboats were stationed nearby in the harbor, a constant reminder of the family’s heightened security.
A Secret Service agent was also seen assisting Jill Biden as she navigated the stairs from the beach to their luxurious Nantucket residence, a 13,000-square-foot house located on the secluded inner harbor of the island.
The expansive house where the Bidens stayed belongs to billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who recently purchased the Baltimore Orioles. After their walk, Jill and Ashley Biden, along with the rest of the family, took part in local activities, including a shopping spree in downtown Nantucket.
On Wednesday, they visited more than a dozen shops, where Jill Biden didn’t carry any shopping bags, relying on her personal assistant to arrange deliveries for her purchases.
Jill Biden bought a "Biden"-shaped t-shirt at Town Pool, a store selling Nantucket-themed gifts, and was seen browsing for books at other local shops. One book that caught her attention was a sentimental purchase—a copy of her husband’s 2021 inaugural address. Meanwhile, Ashley Biden tried on a headband while shopping for bargains.
The Bidens continued their Thanksgiving tradition of gathering in Nantucket, where they arrived on Tuesday. President Biden, accompanied by his son Hunter, his wife Melissa Cohen, and their son Beau, enjoyed some family time as well.
On Friday, the entire family had lunch at the Brotherhood of the Thieves, a well-known pub in downtown Nantucket, before participating in Black Friday shopping and attending the town’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
The family enjoyed a low-key afternoon in the downtown area. President Biden, holding his four-year-old grandson Beau’s hand, strolled through the cobblestone streets while carrying a book titled The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi.
The book has stirred some controversy due to its critical stance on the Zionist movement. It remains unclear whether the president purchased the book himself or if it was a gift from a family member.
At one point, Biden posed for a photo with a local dachshund, holding the dog as its owner took the picture, while Hunter Biden snapped a photo of the moment. As Biden answered a few brief questions from reporters, he mentioned his efforts to work with the FBI following a series of bomb threats and swatting incidents involving several political figures.
Jill Biden’s trip to Nantucket wasn’t just about relaxation and shopping. While there, she balanced some time for leisure with an eye on work.
She was also seen picking up a copy of her husband's inaugural address while shopping for books. The Bidens have spent Thanksgiving on Nantucket for 49 years, a tradition that dates back to when Joe and Jill Biden first celebrated together in 1975.
The Bidens skipped the trip in 2015 due to the death of Joe Biden’s son, Beau, and in 2020 because of the pandemic. The holiday stay on Nantucket has been a long-standing family tradition, offering the Bidens some time to unwind and spend time with loved ones before returning to their busy political lives.
Before their departure, the Bidens were joined by Hunter and his family, who also enjoyed the holiday getaway. As Saturday evening approached, the family was scheduled to leave the island and head back to Washington, D.C. The First Lady and her daughter spent their final moments together before President Biden heads to Africa on Sunday.
