Donald Trump opens up on Prince William meeting in France
Donald Trump has revealed new details about his historic meeting with Prince William in France.
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Donald Trump has opened up about his meeting with Prince William in France.
The US President-elect met with the British royal on the weekend at the British Embassy in Paris after attending the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
In an interview with the New York Post, Mr Trump said he had a “great talk” about the royal family as King Charles and Princess Catherine recover from cancer.
“I had a great talk with the prince,” Mr Trump said.
“And I asked him about his wife and he said she’s doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad. We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk.”
The 78-year-old complimented William on his appearance.
“He’s a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.”
Mr Trump said the newly-opened cathedral was “better than it was 900 years ago”.
“I thought it was fantastic. I think they did a fantastic job with the cathedral. Better than it was 900 years ago,” he told the Post.
“They were able to clean the stone beautifully. It was very dark. I was there, it was very dark before from 900 years or whatever. Now its clean and light and its an exact replication,” he said, adding they made the “right decision” to preserve its authenticity.
HISTORIC OCCASION
The historic reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral signalled a key moment of unity among the world’s leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mr Trump and Prince William met on Saturday evening at the residence of Dame Menna Rawlings – the UK ambassador to France – and spent about 40 minutes together.
They discussed many issues including the importance of having a good relationship.
Mr Trump praised Prince William when they shook hands and said: “He’s a good man, this one”.
He then added: “He’s doing a fantastic job”.
But it was Mr Trump’s awkward handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron on the steps of the Elysee Palace ahead of the Notre Dame Cathedral gathering in Paris that stole the show.
Mr Trump dominated Mr Macron during the tense photo-op handshake where global heads of state and dignitaries united for a historic event.
Mr Trump enjoyed the red carpet treatment in front of the Elysee Palace — complete with trumpets blaring and members of the Republican Guard in full uniform usually reserved for sitting US presidents.
Mr Trump’s power move – reminiscent of the white-knuckle, prolonged shake the two had in Trump’s first term – forced Mr Macron to lean into Mr Trump, who eventually released his grip and strolled inside the building for a meeting with Mr Zelenskyy.
Bad weather caused significant disruptions and delayed two scheduled meetings between the
Prince of Wales and Mr Trump and another meeting he had planned with US First Lady Jill Biden – both of them scheduled to take place later on Saturday evening.
Prince William and President Trump met for talks after the ceremony at the UK Ambassador’s Residence.
British media reported the meeting between Mr Trump and Prince William was to discuss the friendship and relationship between the UK and the US.
It’s the first time Mr Trump has met a member of the British royal family since he won the US election on November 5.
It is understood Prince William received a last-minute invitation to attend the event on behalf of the UK.
Mr Trump, Mr Macron and Mr Zelenskyy met at Elysee Palace ahead of the reopening of the 860-year-old building that was destroyed by fire in 2019 – the gothic masterpiece has been meticulously restored and returned to its original state.
Mr Zelenskyy said on social media platform X after the meeting with Mr Trump and Mr Macron that it was a positive catch up.
“I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump and President @EmmanuelMacronat the Élysée Palace,” he wrote.
“President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organising this important meeting.
“We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way”.
I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump and President @EmmanuelMacron at the Élysée Palace.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир ЗеленÑький (@ZelenskyyUa) December 7, 2024
President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting.
We all want… pic.twitter.com/eKMtuhp2ZI
Mr Trump said in June: “Before I arrive at the Oval Office I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled”.
US billionaire Elon Musk, who will lead Mr Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also attended the event with 1500 guests including dignitaries from around the world.
Outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, alongside his wife Isabelle, also celebrated the cathedral’s reopening – his attendance comes just days after he lost his leadership after the collapse of the French government and him losing a vote of no confidence.
President Macron said a new prime minister should be announced within days.
Mr Zelenskyy received a round of applause from guests as he entered the cathedral ahead of the ceremony led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.
Long applause was held for the 160 firefighters who helped battle the 2019 blaze that destroyed large parts of the cathedral including its wooden ceiling and spire.
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Originally published as Donald Trump opens up on Prince William meeting in France