HRH Prince Moulay Rachid Represents HM the King at Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopening Ceremony in Paris

Upon his arrival at the cathedral’s forecourt, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid was welcomed by President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron.

Following the ceremonial opening of the cathedral doors by the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, guests were treated to a film on the cathedral’s construction site, a tribute to the builders and rescuers of Notre-Dame, with a parade of 160 firefighters and journeymen, and a musical sequence performed by violinists Renaud and Gauthier Capuçon.

French President Emmanuel Macron then delivered a speech in which he expressed “the gratitude of the French nation to all those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre-Dame of Paris, and to all those present” at the ceremony.

The audience also attended an address by Pope Francis, read by the Apostolic Nuncio, in which he paid tribute to the “remarkable work” of the many tradesmen, as well as to the courage of the firefighters who saved the cathedral.

Pope Francis equally praised “the great outpouring of international generosity” which made the restoration of this religious monument possible.

The Archbishop of Paris then led the liturgical rite for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The ceremony was attended by some 40 heads of State and government, including US President-elect Donald Trump and leading international figures.

The reconstruction and restoration of the cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art over 860 years old, partly destroyed by a blaze in 2019, has lasted five years, mobilizing hundreds of craftsmen.