US president-elect Donald Trump said the Prince of Wales is “doing a fantastic job” as the pair met in Paris.
William travelled to the French capital on Saturday for the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral following a devastating fire in 2019.
After it ended, he went to the residence of the British ambassador for a meeting with Mr Trump.
The pair shook hands and greeted one another before Mr Trump turned to reporters and said “wow, what a nice group”.
He then gestured to the prince and said: “Good man, this one.”
William asked the president-elect if he had warmed up after the event and Mr Trump replied that he had and that “it was a beautiful ceremony”.
The two men stood next to each other, facing reporters, and Mr Trump said “hello everybody” before pointing his thumb at William and adding: “He’s doing a fantastic job”.
After speaking in the entrance of the building, they walked upstairs to begin their meeting.
Mr Trump and William sat on light-yellow sofas in the Salon Jaune room, which had gold-coloured patterned wallpaper, a Christmas tree in the corner and a chandelier overhead.
Before the meeting started, William said that “we can warm our toes up after the cathedral” and Mr Trump smiled and responded “right, you’re right”.
The two paused in front of the cameras for a few seconds before Mr Trump said: “Thank you very much everyone.”
During their 40-minute meeting, the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US, with the President-elect sharing fond memories of the late Queen, Kensington Palace said.
Earlier in the cathedral, Mr Trump gave William a pat on the shoulder before they shook hands.
The prince last met the 78-year-old in 2019 when the then-president made a state visit to the UK.
William received a warm greeting in the rainy French capital from President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron.
The prince also spoke to America’s outgoing first lady Jill Biden at the ceremony.
He was expected to discuss the importance of the US-UK relationship with Mr Trump and Mrs Biden.
His last official visit to Paris was in 2017 when he travelled with wife Kate for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result.
Earlier this year, he joined world leaders in Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War D-Day landings.
Notre Dame’s reopening included the ritualised opening of the cathedral’s massive doors, the reawakening of its thunderous organ and the celebration of the first Mass.
Tickets for the first week of Masses were snapped up in 25 minutes, the cathedral’s rector said.
On Sunday, an inaugural Mass will be held featuring special rites to consecrate the main altar.
