“The bells of Notre-Dame are ringing again,” French President Emmanuel Macron declared yesterday during the reopening ceremony of the world-famous cathedral in Paris.
The medieval cathedral had been closed since a major fire tore through it in 2019, destroying its stained-glass windows and wooden interiors before toppling its spire.
Now, however, Notre-Dame has reopened after an expensive restoration project over several years.
A host of world leaders were present to witness the historic moment, including Prince William, US President-elect Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelensky.
Aside from the 50 world leaders in attendance tonight, there are also some other familiar faces among the congregation. The world’s richest man, Elon Musk was also there.
He’d been seen speaking with US President-elect Trump – who appointed him lead of a newly-created “Department of Government Efficiency” back in November – before the service began.
The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich rapped on the portal of Notre-Dame with his crozier, marking the start of this ceremony of reopening.
Inside, the choir answered the archbishop in song – taking on as it were the person of the cathedral.
French President Macron was seated next to US President-elect Trump.
Prince William and many other leaders and dignitaries from around the world were there, as well as some of the big donors whose millions have helped rescue the cathedral after the conflagration of five years ago.
