December 7th 2024.
It was a momentous day as Prince William and Donald Trump joined the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The iconic landmark, which had been ravaged by a devastating fire in 2019, was finally ready to open its doors to the public once again. The Prince of Wales was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, before shaking hands with the US president-elect. They were joined by America's first lady Jill Biden and nearly 50 other heads of state and government for the celebration.
The fire, which was believed to have been caused by a cigarette or a short circuit, had destroyed the wooden spire and roof of the 861-year-old cathedral. But with a staggering donation of £582,000,000, the restoration project was able to bring the cathedral back to its former glory. Unfortunately, the Prince of Wales' arrival was delayed by Storm Darragh, which had swept across the UK. But he managed to make it in time to meet with the president-elect and exchange a firm handshake.
During the ceremony, President Trump and Prince William were expected to discuss the special relationship between the UK and the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also attended the event and was met with applause as he entered the cathedral. He was also scheduled to join the meeting with Prince William and Trump. However, there were concerns that Trump might pressure Zelensky into accepting a peace deal with Russia, as he had previously claimed he could end the conflict in less than 24 hours if he was re-elected.
Instead of starting from the cathedral's forecourt as originally planned, the entire opening ceremony was held inside Notre Dame due to strong winds forecasted for the evening. The cathedral's rector, Rev Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, emphasized that Notre Dame is not just a French monument, but a beloved treasure of the world's cultural heritage. He also spoke about the cathedral's significance as a symbol of unity and hope, as the restoration project had shown that the impossible can become possible.
Archbishop Ulrich declared the cathedral open for worship once again by tapping the doors three times with a staff crafted from the charred wood salvaged from the cathedral's roof. Later in the evening, a star-studded concert was held inside the cathedral to pay tribute to its resurrection and those who worked tirelessly to restore it. World-renowned artists such as Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, and Pretty Yende were among the performers.
On Sunday, Archbishop Ulrich led the inaugural Mass and consecrated the cathedral's new altar, designed by contemporary artist Guillaume Bardet to replace the one that was destroyed in the fire. Nearly 170 bishops from France and abroad, along with priests from all 113 parishes of the Paris diocese, attended the Mass. The reopening of Notre Dame was a beacon of hope during a time of global unrest, with ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
For Catholics and the cathedral's rector, Notre Dame also holds a maternal and embracing presence of the Virgin Mary. The celebration was attended by other dignitaries, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighting the cathedral's significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. It was also seen as a much-needed boost for French President Macron, who has faced political turmoil in recent months.
Despite calls for his resignation, Macron vowed to remain in office until the end of his term and named a new prime minister shortly after the reopening ceremony. As France continues to grapple with economic and social issues, the reopening of Notre Dame was a moment of joy and unity. Tight security measures were in place throughout the weekend, similar to those taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year.
The small island of Ile de la Cite, where Notre Dame is located, was closed to tourists and non-residents, with access limited to invitees and island residents. Along the Seine's southern bank, public viewing areas were set up for 40,000 spectators to follow the celebrations on large screens. After Archbishop Ulrich reopened the cathedral doors, a liturgical service and the reawakening of the grand organ followed, culminating in a concert that paid tribute to Notre Dame's cultural and spiritual significance.
For many, the reopening of Notre Dame was a global achievement, with the cathedral expected to welcome 15 million visitors annually. After the 2019 fire, donations of nearly one billion dollars poured in from all over the world, a testament to Notre Dame's universal appeal. As the cathedral opens its doors once again, it stands as a symbol of hope, unity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
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