Prince William meets Trump at Notre-Dame reopening in Paris

The Prince of Wales has met US President-elect Donald Trump whereas visiting France for the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral.

Prince William joined different world leaders in Paris to mark the restoration of the world-famous landmark, which was devastated by a hearth 5 years in the past.

He’s set to have a gathering with president-elect after the ceremony, Kensington Palace mentioned.

Through the occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech through which he mentioned of the restoration: “we should treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and can”.

Different leaders and dignitaries on the occasion included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and outgoing US first girl Dr Jill Biden, who was representing President Joe Biden.

It’s anticipated that the prince will talk about the significance of the US-UK “particular relationship” with each Trump and the primary girl throughout their respective conferences.

Greeting the prince on the ceremony, Trump gave William a pat on the shoulder earlier than the 2 shook palms and spoke for a number of seconds.

He final met Trump in 2019 when the then-president made a state go to to the UK.

Prince William, who’s attending on the request of the UK authorities, joined French President Emmanuel Macron and dozens of different heads of state on the ceremony on Saturday.

William and Trump, who will communicate at one other location in Paris after the ceremony, had initially been scheduled to fulfill earlier than the occasion.

The prince had additionally been attributable to meet Dr Biden forward of the ceremony however will now meet her on the ceremony.

Kensington Palace mentioned he had been delayed by climate on his journey from the UK to France.

The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich led greater than 1,500 company by way of the reopening service.

A choir sang out as Macron took his seat subsequent to Trump. A message from the Pope was learn aloud earlier than the French president delivered his tackle.

Components of the occasion additionally needed to be reconfigured because of the stormy climate – with a live performance that was attributable to happen on the esplanade truly being staged on Friday.

The prince’s final official journey to Paris was in 2017, when he visited with the Princess of Wales for a two-day journey within the aftermath of the Brexit outcome.

He joined different world leaders in Normandy earlier this 12 months for the eightieth anniversary commemorations of the Second World Struggle D-Day landings.

The medieval cathedral has been closed since a significant fireplace tore by way of it in 2019, destroying its stained-glass home windows and picket interiors earlier than toppling its spire.

Some 600 firefighters battled the blaze for 15 hours. The primary construction of the 850-year-old constructing was saved, together with its two bell towers.

Macron set a five-year purpose for the reconstruction of the Catholic church shortly after the hearth.

An estimated 2,000 masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, foundry-workers, artwork specialists, sculptors and engineers labored on the venture, which reportedly price €700m (£582m).

Tickets for the primary week of Plenty within the cathedral offered out in 25 minutes, the cathedral’s rector mentioned.

Evaluation by Sean Coughlan, royal correspondent

Prince William has been scrambled, like in his previous air ambulance days, to hurry to this assembly in Paris with President-elect Donald Trump.

Though what’s in want of rescue on this event is the well-being of the particular relationship between the US and the UK.

It is an necessary connection for either side – and for wider army hyperlinks corresponding to Nato – however there’s not lots of apparent empathy between Starmer’s Labour authorities and the incoming Republicans.

So the royals, who’re funded by taxpayers, are being deployed to easy the trail, with Prince William taking over the statesman position, assembly Trump earlier than attending the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral.

Trump is a royal fan, so that may make for a extra constructive connection. Prince William final met Trump in 2019, in the course of the then-president’s go to to the UK, the place Trump spoke very enthusiastically about his assembly with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

However there is a large distinction of their kinds. Prince William’s flagship venture is his Earthshot environmental awards, whereas Trump has dismissed efforts to spice up inexperienced vitality as a “rip-off”.

This week Prince William went to serve dinner on the Passage homelessness charity and on Friday night time he was serving to with a “kindness tree” exterior Westminster Abbey.

A kindness tree and campaigning on housing and climate-change aren’t precisely the ‘Make America Nice Once more’ model.

However the purpose of this hurriedly-arranged assembly will probably be for a royal allure offensive to assist construct bridges at an unsure time for western alliances.