In a recent visit to France for the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, met with US President-elect Donald Trump. The restoration of the world-renowned landmark, devastated by a fire five years ago, was marked by the presence of several world leaders in Paris.
The president-elect and Prince William, who also met after the ceremony, exchanged warm words; Trump hailed the prince as a “good man” doing a “fantastic job”. The ceremony witnessed French President Emmanuel Macron delivering a speech emphasizing the lesson of “fragility, humility and will” derived from the cathedral’s restoration.
Other notable attendees included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and outgoing US First Lady Dr Jill Biden, representing President Joe Biden. Prince William was expected to underscore the importance of the US-UK “special relationship” in his meetings with Trump and the first lady.
The prince had last met Trump in 2019 during the latter’s state visit to the UK. The recent meeting took place at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris, where Trump praised Prince William, referring to him as a “good man”.
The 40-minute discussion between the two was described as “warm and friendly” by Kensington Palace, focusing on a range of global issues and the significance of the UK/US special relationship. Trump also shared some cherished memories of the late Queen, which Prince William greatly appreciated.
The reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral, led by The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, was attended by over 1,500 guests. The service was marked by a choir performance and a message from the Pope, followed by President Macron’s address.
The cathedral, closed since a major fire in 2019, saw the efforts of 2,000 dedicated workers, including masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, art experts, sculptors and engineers for its restoration. The project reportedly cost €700m (£582m), with Macron setting a five-year goal for the reconstruction.
Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan observes that Prince William’s meeting with Trump was a strategic move to strengthen the US-UK relationship, with the royals playing a role in smoothening the path amid an uncertain time for western alliances. Despite the contrast in their styles, the meeting aimed at a royal charm offensive to help build bridges.
