Prince William is set to meet President Elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden for meetings in Paris as the Notre Dame Cathedral gets ready to reopen to worshippers
As the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris gets ready to reopen its doors after a devastating blaze, Prince William will be meeting with US First Lady Dr Jill Biden and President Elect Donald Trump.
They will be among the world leaders, dignitaries and worshippers gathering to mark the reopening following the restoration of the 861-year-old landmark. The cathedral was almost destroyed when a fire broke out in 2019, and over the course of five years, the structure that took almost two centuries to build was restored.
A reopening celebration is being held this evening under the Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich with around 1,500 guests expected to attend. It comes as the Prince of Wales has begun to take on an increased role as a global statesman over the last two years, with royal sources saying “this is a further example of The Prince stepping up onto the world stage to represent the United Kingdom.”
Notre Dame has been lit up at night ahead of its reopening (
Image:
Getty Images)
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Prince of Wales will travel to Paris tomorrow to attend the ceremony marking the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. His Royal Highness is travelling at the request of His Majesty’s Government on behalf of the United Kingdom.”
Prince William last met the current First Lady of the United States when she attended His Majesty’s Coronation in 2023, and last rubbed shoulders with President Elect Trump at his state visit to the UK in 2019, during his last presidency. Ahead of the gathering of world leaders, a huge security operation involving surface-to-air missiles and SAS-style anti-terrorist units was spotted in Paris.
Paris police prefect Laurence Nunez explained that “increased security [is] essential because of the very high level of terrorist threat”. Noting multiple attacks by Islamist groups over the last decade, Mr Nunez said there will be “6,000 police and gendarmes mobilised to secure the events”. Officers will include members of the elite GIGN, the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, who will provide everything from rooftop snipers to helicopter-borne rapid intervention teams.
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But for worshippers, all eyes will be on the spectacular restoration of Our Lady of Paris. Notre Dame’s rector, Reverand Olivier Ribadeau Dumas explained the cathedral is “more than just a French monument” and a beloved treasure of the world’s cultural heritage.
“The cathedral is a magnificent symbol of unity,” the rector said. “A sign of hope, because what seemed impossible has become possible.”
Saturday’s events will blend solemn religious tradition with cultural grandeur, starting with Ulrich symbolically reopening Notre Dame’s grand wooden doors. Tapping them three times with a staff crafted from charred wood salvaged from the cathedral’s fire-ravaged roof, he will declare the cathedral open for worship once more.
