by Mick the Ram

The Prince of Wales was in Paris at the weekend with a dual mission; one to attend the eagerly awaited reopening of the medieval Notre-Dame cathedral, but also to help out the UK government by emphasising the “special relationship” that exists between the UK and the US with president-elect Donald Trump.

Mr Trump was invited to the event along with other world leaders and dignitaries that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and outgoing US First Lady Dr Jill Biden, who was representing the out-going President Joe Biden.

Prince William travelled to France to join in the celebrations to mark the restoration of the world-famous Gothic building, which was devastated by a fire in 2019 that destroyed its wooden interiors before toppling its spire.

William is Labour’s “Trump” card

The reopening ceremony was hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron, but the UK government were keen for the prince to attend as they are aware of the high regard that Mr Trump holds the British royal family.

They were looking to William to keep the soon to be appointed president onside and smooth the path going forward under his presidency.

Jovial exchange

After shaking hands at the event Mr Trump gave The Prince of Wales a friendly pat on the shoulder, describing the prince as a “good man” who he said was doing a “fantastic job”.

William asked the president-elect if he had warmed up, and Trump replied that he had and that “it was a beautiful ceremony”.

Huge contrast in environmental beliefs

The two men then had a short meeting of around 40 minutes at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris, discussing a range of global issues, and the the president-elect also shared some warm and fond memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II, for which the prince was said to be ”extremely grateful”.

Nevertheless, the main focus and William’s specific directive was to concentrate on the importance of the UK/US “special relationship”, which the recently elected Labour party are desperate to maintain.

Kensington Palace described the meeting between the two as being “warm and friendly”, but that said, there is an enormous contrast in the two men’s beliefs, with the Prince recently back from presenting awards at his Earthshot project for environmental  initiatives, while Mr Trump has dismissed efforts to boost green energy as a “scam”.

First official visit since Covid

The prince’s last official trip to Paris was in 2017, when he visited with the Princess of Wales for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result.

He did however, join other world leaders in Normandy earlier this year for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War D-Day landings.

Saved from destruction

He was understandably moved by the remarkable transformation of the magnificent structure that appeared to be in ruins, following the devastation that followed the fire, five years ago.

Back then some 600 firefighters battled the blaze for 15 hours and due to their heroic efforts the main composition of the 850-year-old building was saved, including its two bell towers.

Stunning transformation

President Macron set a five-year goal for the reconstruction of the Catholic church which many regarded as unrealistic; but an estimated 2,000 masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, foundry-workers, art experts, sculptors and engineers worked around the clock on the project, costing an estimated €700m (£582m).

Last year King Charles III visited the cathedral to see the fantastic work being carried out on a state visit to France where he saw how the building was not only expertly repaired, but also cleaned of centuries’ worth of dust and soot from the fire.

Tribute paid to all the craftspeople

At the ceremony, a message from the Pope was read aloud before President Macron delivered a passionate speech.  

In his address he paid tribute to the craftspeople who had worked on the refurbishment, saying how grateful both he and the country were for the astonishing achievement.

“The blaze at Notre-Dame was a national wound and you have been its remedy through will, through work, through commitment” he said, before adding: “You have brought Notre-Dame back; we must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility and will”.