Notre Dame’s Reopening Ceremony Moved Indoors Due to Weather Forecast

Due to an inclement weather forecast, the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will now be held entirely indoors, the Elysee Palace and the Paris diocese announced on Friday. The ceremony, which marks the five-year anniversary of the devastating 2019 fire, was originally planned for outdoors but had to be moved inside after Meteo France predicted wind gusts of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

The reopening will be attended by numerous world leaders, royalty, and celebrities, including Britain’s Prince William, US President-elect Donald Trump, and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams, who is rumored to perform.

Initially, French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to deliver a speech outside the cathedral, but following delicate negotiations, it was decided that he would speak inside. As for the concert, the artists scheduled to perform on Saturday will instead record their performance outside the cathedral, with the recording being broadcast during the event.