Prince William attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7, 2024, after a brief delay due to Storm Darragh.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, before engaging in productive discussions with President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Trump shared “warm and fond memories” of the late Queen with Prince William, a gesture for which William expressed great appreciation, according to Kensington Palace. Initially scheduled to meet privately before the ceremony, their discussions took place afterward, with William meeting Trump first at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Paris.

When Trump entered the room, he greeted William with a handshake and a compliment, saying, “Good man, this one,” before telling reporters that William was doing a “fantastic job.” The Prince asked Trump if he had “warmed up” after the ceremony, to which Trump replied, “I haven’t warmed up yet [but] I had a good time, it was a beautiful ceremony.”

The 40-minute meeting, described as “warm and friendly” by Kensington Palace, focused on various global issues, particularly the significance of the UK-US relationship. Trump also shared personal memories of the late Queen, which William found deeply meaningful.

Upon arriving at the cathedral around 6:30 p.m. local time, William was greeted by President Macron and his wife for photos before entering, where he was also warmly greeted by Trump. Dr. Biden arrived shortly thereafter, accompanied by her daughter Ashley.

The event was attended by a notable guest list, including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, actress Salma Hayek, retail magnate François-Henri Pinault, and tech CEO Elon Musk. Dr. Biden wore a blue cashmere scarf and a black overcoat to stay warm in the chilly Parisian evening.

The ceremony honored the firefighters, rescuers, and builders who played key roles in restoring the cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire. The restoration effort, involving 250 companies and experts, was a five-year project costing hundreds of millions of euros.

The reopening marked a significant moment, not only for Catholics but as a cultural milestone, with the Archbishop symbolically tapping the restored doors with a staff made from charred wood salvaged from the fire.

William’s presence in Paris, representing the UK at the request of His Majesty’s Government, reflects his expanding role on the global stage. His meetings with Trump and Dr. Biden are expected to further strengthen the ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.