Prince William and Trump meet after Notre Dame reopens

The Prince of Wales met US President-elect Donald Trump throughout his go to to France for the reopening ceremony 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 fireplace 5 years in the past.

After shaking fingers on the ceremony, the pair additionally met afterwards, with the president-elect describing the prince as a “good man” doing a “incredible job”.

On the occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech through which he mentioned of the restoration: “We should cherish 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 represented President Joe Biden.

Prince William was anticipated to debate the significance of the “particular relationship” between the US and UK with Trump and the primary girl throughout their respective conferences.

Greeting the prince through the ceremony, Trump patted William on the shoulder earlier than the 2 shook fingers 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 attended at the request of the British government, joined French President Emmanuel Macron and dozens of different heads of state at Saturday's ceremony.

William and Trump met on the British ambassador's residence in Paris.

The prince was standing within the foyer when Trump arrived. The 2 males shook fingers and greeted one another once more, earlier than Trump gestured to the Prince of Wales and mentioned: “Good man, that one.”

Prince William requested the president-elect if he had warmed up, and Trump replied that he had and that “it was an attractive ceremony.”

Kensington Palace described the assembly as “heat and pleasant”.

Throughout their 40 minutes collectively, William and Trump mentioned a spread of world points, however targeted on the significance of the particular relationship between the UK and the USA.

The president-elect additionally shared some heat and affectionate reminiscences of the late queen, for which the prince mentioned he was “extraordinarily grateful.”

William was additionally to fulfill Trump and Dr Biden earlier at the moment, however Kensington Palace mentioned he was delayed by climate circumstances throughout his journey from the UK to France.

Through the ceremony, Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich led greater than 1,500 friends by the reopening service.

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

As a result of stormy climate, elements of the occasion needed to be reconfigured. A live performance which was to happen on the esplanade will happen on Friday.

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

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

The medieval cathedral has been closed since a significant fireplace ravaged it in 2019, destroying its 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 goal for rebuilding the Catholic church shortly after the fireplace.

An estimated 2,000 masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, founders, artwork consultants, sculptors and engineers labored on the mission, which is estimated to have value €700m (£582m).

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

Evaluation by Sean Coughlan, royal correspondent

Prince William was pushed, as in his outdated air ambulance days, to hurry to this assembly in Paris with President-elect Donald Trump.

However what wants saving on this event is the well-being of the particular relationship between the USA and the UK.

This is a crucial hyperlink for each events – and for wider navy hyperlinks comparable to NATO – however there’s not a lot empathy evident between Starmer's Labor authorities and the brand new Republicans.

So the taxpayer-funded royal household is deployed to clean the best way, with Prince William taking up the position of statesman and assembly with Trump earlier than attending the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Trump is a royal fan, so which may make a extra constructive connection. Prince William final met Trump in 2019, through 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’s a big distinction of their kinds. Prince William's signature mission is the Earthshot environmental prize, whereas Trump has referred to as efforts to spice up inexperienced vitality a “rip-off.”

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

A Kindness Tree and a marketing campaign for housing and local weather change aren't precisely “Make America Nice Once more” type.

However the objective of this unexpectedly organized assembly shall be a royal attraction offensive to assist construct bridges, at an unsure second, between Western alliances.