Paris, 7 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Several dozen world leaders and dignitaries are expected in Paris to attend the formal reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, including US President-elect Donald Trump.

French President Emmanuel Macron - who had an early look inside the renovated Gothic masterpiece at the end of last month - is said to have invited around 50 leaders.

The cathedral in the heart of the French capital was gutted during a major fire in 2019.

Among those attending the ceremony are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Greek President Ekateríni Sakellaropoúlou.

European royalty will also be in attendance, with British heir Prince William, Prince Albert II of Monaco and the kings of Morocco and Jordan, Mohammed VI and Abdullah II, expected to attend as well.

Trump announced his attendance a few days ago on his social network Truth Social, where he wrote that he would be attending "the reopening of the magnificent and historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been completely restored after a devastating fire five years ago."

It will be his first trip abroad since his election victory in early November.

According to the Élysée Palace, Trump and Macron will meet for bilateral talks in the afternoon. Macron is also set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky afterwards.

Jill Biden, the wife of US President Joe Biden - who in January is due to hand over the White House to Trump - is also expected to be present at the ceremony.

The celebrations are set to begin in the evening with a short film on the cathedral forecourt, when Macron plans to give a brief speech before entering the more than 800-year-old landmark with the invited guests.

Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich is set to preside over the religious ceremony. The event is scheduled to conclude with a concert featuring pop and classical music stars, including the Chinese piano legend Lang Lang.

The unique reopening will be a welcome distraction for Macron, who is facing a political crisis at home. He is in the process of finding a new prime minister after the previous government was toppled this week in a no-confidence vote.

Photo: EPA