The Prince of Wales, Prince William, met US President-elect Donald Trump at the official reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which has undergone extensive restoration after a devastating fire five years ago.
Prince William was joined at the event by world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Outgoing US first lady Dr. Jill Biden represented President Joe Biden at the ceremony.
The prince and Trump were seen exchanging pleasantries, with the president-elect describing William as a “good man” who did a “good job”. The pair later met at the British ambassador’s residence for a 40-minute discussion, where they touched on the importance of the US-UK “special relationship”.
Speaking at the reopening, President Macron reflected on the cathedral’s restoration, saying, “We must appreciate this lesson of vulnerability, humility and will.” The service, presided over by the Archbishop of Paris, featured a choir performance and a message from the Pope. Although stormy weather affected parts of the event, the reopening was a poignant moment for the 850-year-old landmark, which was saved from total destruction by the efforts of 600 firefighters.
Macron set a five-year target for rebuilding Notre-Dame after the 2019 fire, a target achieved with the work of 2,000 experts at an estimated cost of €700m (£582m).
A royal diplomatic mission
According to BBC According to royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, Prince William’s trip to Paris served as a diplomatic effort to strengthen transatlantic ties at a politically sensitive moment. With a British Labor government led by Keir Starr and an incoming Republican administration in the US, the “special relationship” faces challenges.
Prince William, often seen as a champion of environmental and social issues, provides a contrasting figure to Trump, who has previously dismissed green energy initiatives. However, the royal family’s role in diplomacy aims to ease potential tensions. Trump, a known admirer of the British monarchy, previously praised his interactions with the late Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in 2019.
As part of his public engagement this week, Prince William has highlighted causes such as homelessness and environmental sustainability. These efforts, serving dinners at charities and supporting a “kindness tree” outside Westminster Abbey, underscore his focus on social impact — a sharp contrast to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policy.
Despite differing priorities, the meeting between the Prince of Wales and President-elect Trump was seen as a step to ensure continuity and cooperation in US-UK relations amid global uncertainty.
(Courtesy of the BBC)