ROYAL FAMILY
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The Prince of Wales was in the French capital tonight to represent King Charles at the reopening ceremony of the Notre-Dame.
Prince William has Donald Trump and world leaders in Paris tonight.
The Prince of Wales is in the French capital tonight to represent King Charles at the reopening ceremony of the Notre-Dame.
The cathedral, which has been on the site since the 11th century, was forced to close in April 2019 after a fire ripped through the building, causing serious damage.
The fire lasted a day and engulfed the spire and roof. Firefighters were able to save the main structure of the building, including the bell tower and rose windows.
President Macron vowed to see the church restored within five years. By September 2021, donors had contributed over €840 million to the rebuilding effort.
In a speech to the people who worked on the refurbishment, Macron said: “The blaze at Notre-Dame was a national wound, and you have been its remedy through will, through work, through commitment.
“I am so deeply grateful, France is so deeply grateful. You have brought Notre-Dame back”.
Macron and other top French politicians will be there for the re-opening alongside other heads of state for the special weekend.
The official Notre-Dame de Paris website said the cathedral, which has been silent for five years since the fire, “will once again resonate with the song of praise”.
Macron conducted a televised tour to view the building’s £582m renovation which included the massive roof timbers that replaced the medieval frame consumed in the fire.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “His Royal Highness is travelling at the request of His Majesty’s Government on behalf of the United Kingdom.”