World
Prince William and Donald Trump meet at Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening
Prince William has met Donald Trump for the first time since the American was re-elected president last month.
The pair shook hands at a ceremony in Paris to mark the five-year restoration and reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral – attended by leaders from around the world.
They exchanged a few words and Mr Trump patted William on the shoulder.
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World leaders gather at Notre-Dame Cathedral for reopening ceremony
Later in the evening, the Prince of Wales is expected to discuss the importance of the US-UK’s “special relationship” with the president-elect, who is due to take office on 20 January.
Among the 1,500 dignitaries also attending the Notre-Dame ceremony are billionaire Elon Musk – a close adviser in Mr Trump’s transition team – US first lady Jill Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy were also in attendance.
The event in the French capital marked the reopening of the 12th-century church after the building almost collapsed in a fire in April 2019.
‘The bells are ringing again’
Following the devastating blaze, people donated nearly $1bn (£780m) – a tribute to its worldwide appeal.
Mr Trump patted Prince William on the shoulder
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “gratitude” to those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral, which had the word “merci” projected onto the front on Saturday evening.
“I stand before you… to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said at the ceremony.
“Tonight, the bells of Notre-Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken”, sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world.
The first responders who helped preserve the Gothic masterpiece and some of those who then restored it were given a standing ovation.
William and Mr Trump had originally been scheduled to meet before the cathedral event.
The prince last met him during his state visit to the UK in 2019, while he crossed paths with President Joe Biden in 2022 in Boston for his Earthshot Prize.
(L-R) Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met earlier in the day at the Elysee Palace. Pic: AP
Trump and Zelenskyy meet
Earlier on Saturday, Mr Macron organised a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace in what was seen as a coup for the French president days after his prime minister Michel Barnier was ousted by parliament.
The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, led more than 1,500 guests through the service in the first part of the cathedral’s rebirth, with an inaugural Mass set for Sunday.
He struck the doors three times with his crozier, or bishop’s cross, before symbolically reopening the building, and the choir began to sing.
Paris’ archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocks on the doors of Notre-Dame Cathedral during its formal reopening. Pic: AP
Minutes earlier, the cathedral’s bells rang out as Mr Macron welcomed his guests.
Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework – an area equal to six football pitches – have been meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings.
Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest”, were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette.
The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes, resounded for the first time since the fire.
It is William’s first official visit to Paris since 2017, when he travelled with wife Kate for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result.
In June this year, he joined other world leaders in Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings.