The statement was first provided to People magazine.

As someone who frequently talks about his close-knit extended family, Biden has been under scrutiny for failing to publicly acknowledge the girl. Since becoming president, he and Jill Biden often refer to their “six grandchildren” but have never mentioned Hunter’s child from his affair with Lunden Roberts. In 2019, Roberts filed a lawsuit against Hunter, who was determined to be the father of her child through DNA testing.

Roberts and her daughter live in Arkansas, where Navy has grown up.

The public acknowledgement comes shortly after the bitter child support and paternity issues were resolved. As grandparents, Biden and the first lady were following Hunter’s lead during the proceedings, according to a source familiar with the situation granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation.

The case settled in Arkansas last month after years of dispute. Court filings did not state the amount of child support but said she would also receive some of Hunter’s paintings.

Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.