Prince Moulay Rachid attended the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on behalf of King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Saturday. The opening is the culmination of a five-year restoration effort following the devastating fire of 2019.
Guests watched a film detailing the extensive restoration process and honored firefighters and artisans in a parade with 160 participants. Renowned violinists Renaud and Gauthier Capuçon performed at the event.
Macron delivered a speech expressing France’s gratitude to everyone involved in saving and rebuilding Notre Dame. “We owe deep thanks to those who made today possible and everyone present here,” he said.
The ceremony also featured a message from Pope Francis, read by the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio. The Pope commended the “remarkable work” of the artisans and firefighters and acknowledged the global generosity that supported the restoration.
Archbishop Ulrich later conducted the liturgical rite officially reopening the cathedral, allowing the world to witness the revived splendor of the 860-year-old Gothic structure.
The event attracted a distinguished audience, including about 40 heads of state and government, such as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and other international leaders.
The restoration project involved hundreds of skilled artisans who worked over five years to preserve the cathedral’s architectural and cultural heritage.