Prince William is travelling to Paris today to join Heads of State at the ceremony marking the re-opening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
While he’s there, he will hold meetings with the First Lady of the US, Dr Jill Biden, and US President-Elect Donald Trump, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Prince of Wales, 42, is travelling “at the request of His Majesty’s Government on behalf of the United Kingdom”, the Palace added.
The Notre-Dame was ravaged by flames in April 2019, which led to the closure of the world-famous Gothic building.
In the subsequent five years, an extensive restoration programme has been underway, and this weekend, it will open to the public.
High points of the re-opening, taking place over the weekend, will be the ritualised opening of the cathedral’s massive doors, the reawakening of its thunderous organ and the celebration of the first Mass.
For both France and the Catholic Church, the televised and tightly scripted ceremonies will be an opportunity to display can-do resilience and global influence.
The Catholic faithful are so eager to worship again inside Notre-Dame that tickets for the first week of Masses were snapped up in 25 minutes, the cathedral’s rector said.
During part one of Notre-Dame’s rebirth tonight, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will lead more than 1,500 guests through a reopening service. Part two, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar.
President Macron and the Archbishop of Paris are hosting a special event at the cathedral today, which will be attended by Heads of State from around the world.
Mr Trump and dozens of heads of state and government have accepted invitations from Mr Macron to attend the ceremony.
William’s last official visit to Paris was in 2017 when he travelled to the French capital with his wife, Princess Kate, for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result.
Earlier this year, he joined other world leaders when he flew to Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War D-Day landings.
