Arthur de Laborde // Photo credit: Christophe PETIT TESSON / POOL / AFP 20:18 pm, September 21, 2023
The king, accompanied by Queen Camilla, went to the forecourt of Notre-Dame Cathedral after spending a few moments at the flower markets. Alone in the early morning, they were joined by the President of the Republic and his companion. The British sovereign was delighted to see reconstruction move forward.Charles III's schedule was busy for his second day in Paris. This Thursday morning, after a standing ovation in the Senate, he addressed parliamentarians in French and English. The opportunity for the king to plead for a climate agreement.
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In the afternoon, the king visited the alleys of the flower market. They then joined the Macron couple on the forecourt of Notre-Dame de Paris. Charles III and his companion Camilla met firefighters present during the 2019 fire and sculptors responsible for renovating the chimeras and gargoyles of Notre-Dame. Site managers explain where the work stands. "Let's start by following the arrow," a site manager told the royal couple.
For security reasons, the sovereign, the queen and the presidential couple did not approach the site. They were able to greet from afar the workers gathered 33 meters above the ground on the balconies of the cathedral.
"I look forward to visiting this magnificent cathedral"
Charles III, obviously interested in technical matters, had himself taken care of another restoration 30 years ago, that of Windsor Castle, which had been partially destroyed by fire. That's why he insists on returning as soon as the cathedral is open to the public again. "After being appalled by the scenes of devastation that followed the terrible fire four years ago, I look forward to visiting this magnificent cathedral," the sovereign said. The reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris should, in principle, be completed by the end of 2024.