Prince William Steps Up His Statesman Role to Represent King Charles at Reopening of Notre Dame

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince William, Prince of Wales is seen at the 2024 United for Wildlife Global Showcase on November 05, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty

prince william cape town earthshot wildlife global showcase 11 05 24

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Prince Williamis taking on a more prominent statesman role, representing his fatherKing Charlesatthe reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Parison Dec. 7 while Charles, 76, is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

French PresidentEmmanuel Macroninvited William to Notre Dame’s reopening on his father’s behalf.

Prince William with President Marcon (second from right) and his wife Brigitte at the D Day commemorations on June 6, 2024.Lou Benoist - Pool/Getty

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US First Lady Jill Biden, US President Joe Biden, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley look on as they attend the International commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II “D-Day” Allied landings on June 6, 2024 in Normandy, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France. The D-Day ceremonies on June 6 this year mark the 80th anniversary since the launch of ‘Operation Overlord’, a vast military operation by Allied forces in Normandy, which turned the tide of World War II, eventually leading to the liberation of occupied France and the end of the war against Nazi Germany.

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As well as meeting with world leaders when they visit the U.K. — such as the Amir of Qatar earlier this week — William has held top-level meetings on his travels. He saw then PresidentBarack Obamain Washington D.C. andin Londonin 2016;President Joe Bidenwhen he was in Bostonfor his Earthshot Prize in 2022; andPresident Xi Jinping of Chinain March 2015. William also sat down with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosain November during his visit to Cape Town in November.

On Dec. 7, much of Paris will come to a standstillas the ceremony to mark the rebirthof Notre Dame takes place.

Prince William, with Princess Kate, at the welcome for the Amir of Qatar in London on Dec. 3, 2024.Leon Neal/Getty

Catherine, Princess of Wales, (C-L) and Prince William, Prince of Wales, (C-R) during a ceremonial welcome for the Amir of the State of Qatar at Horse Guards parade during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 3, 2024 in London

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In remarks ahead of his visit, Macron spoke of the long process to reconstruct the historic site.

“This project was a human adventure of epic proportions in terms of building and prowess, involving the patient and dedicated work of a chain of talents working with one another passing the torch to those of the centuries to come,” Macron said.

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Many were highly skeptical of Macron’s promise and commitment that the Notre Dame Cathedral would be restored, but he said he is proud to have succeeded. “It was a challenge many deemed impossible, yet one we will have met on,” he said.

William’s trip to Paris will come a day after he and wifePrincess Katekick off the Christmas festivities at acarol service at Westminster Abbey.

source: people.com

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