Prince William and Trump meet after the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral

The Prince of Wales met with US President-elect Donald Trump during his visit to France to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Prince William joined other dignitaries in Paris to celebrate the restoration of the world-famous landmark, which was destroyed by fire five years ago.

After shaking hands at the ceremony, they also met afterwards, with the president-elect describing the prince as a “good man” who is doing a “fantastic job.”

During the event, French President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech in which he said of the restoration: “We must cherish this lesson of fragility, humility and will.”

Other notable leaders and figures attending the event included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and outgoing US First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who was representing President Joe Biden.

Prince William was expected to discuss the importance of the “special relationship” between the US and the UK with both Trump and the First Lady during their meetings.

Welcoming the prince at the ceremony, Trump patted William on the shoulder before the two shook hands and spoke for a few seconds.

He last met Trump in 2019 when the then-president made a state visit to the United Kingdom.

Prince William who He attended at the request of the UK government, joining French President Emmanuel Macron And dozens of other heads of state at the ceremony on Saturday.

William and Trump met at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris.

The prince was standing in the lobby when Trump arrived. The two men shook hands and greeted each other again, before Trump pointed to the Prince of Wales, saying: “That good man.”

Prince William asked the president-elect if he warmed up, and Trump replied that he did and that “it was a nice party.”

Kensington Palace described the meeting between the two countries as “warm and friendly.”

During their 40 minutes together, William and Trump discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the special relationship between the UK and the US.

The president-elect also shared some warm and fond memories of the late Queen, for which the prince was said to be “deeply grateful”.

He was also scheduled to meet William Trump and Dr Biden earlier in the day but Kensington Palace said he was delayed by weather on his flight from the UK to France.

At the ceremony, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris led more than 1,500 guests during the reopening service.

A choir sang as Macron took his seat next to Trump. A message from the Pope was read aloud before the French President delivered his speech.

Parts of the event had to be reconfigured due to inclement weather – with a concert scheduled to take place in the arena on Friday.

The Prince's last official trip to Paris was in 2017, when he visited with the Princess of Wales on a two-day trip following the Brexit result.

He joined other world leaders in Normandy earlier this year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War II landings.

The medieval cathedral has been closed since it was ravaged by a major fire in 2019, destroying its wooden interiors before bringing down its tower.

About 600 firefighters battled the fire for 15 hours. The main structure of the 850-year-old building was saved, including the two bell towers.

Macron set a five-year goal to rebuild the Catholic Church shortly after the fire.

An estimated 2,000 builders, carpenters, restorers, roofers, foundry workers, art experts, sculptors and engineers worked on the project, which is said to have cost €700 million (£582 million).

The president of the cathedral said that tickets for the first week of mass in the cathedral were purchased within 25 minutes.

Analysis by Sean Coughlan, Royal Correspondent

Prince William, as in the old days of the air ambulance, rushed to this meeting in Paris with President-elect Donald Trump.

Although what needs saving on this occasion is the integrity of the special relationship between the US and the UK.

It is an important link for both sides – and for wider military links such as NATO – but there is little apparent sympathy between Starmer's Labor government and the New Republicans.

So taxpayer-funded royals are being deployed to smooth the path, with Prince William assuming the role of statesman, meeting Trump before attending the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Trump is a fan of the royal family, so this could lead to a more positive relationship. Prince William last met Trump in 2019, during the then-president's visit to the United Kingdom, where Trump spoke very enthusiastically about his meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

But there is a huge contradiction in their methods. Prince William's flagship project is the Earthshot Environmental Awards, while Trump has dismissed efforts to promote green energy as a “scam.”

Prince William went out this week to serve dinner at homeless charity Passage, and on Friday night he was helping out at the “Tree of Kindness” outside Westminster Abbey.

The Tree of Kindness and campaigns on housing and climate change aren't exactly a “Make America Great Again” approach.

But the goal of this hastily arranged meeting will be an attractive royal offensive to help build bridges at an uncertain time for Western alliances.