French PresidentEmmanuel Macronpledged to rebuild theNotre Dame Cathedralfollowing the devastating fire that destroyed the Parislandmark’s spireand roof on Monday – and people around the world can look to the U.K. for hope and inspiration.
Charles, 70, also recalled the 1992 fire that ravaged parts of Windsor Castle, which recently hosted the weddings ofMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry, as well asPrincess Eugenieand Jack Brooksbank. Charles himself wed Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at the royal residence’s St. George’s Chapel in 2005.
“Cher Monsieur le Président, our hearts go out to you and the people of France more than you can ever know, especially in view of our experience with the devastating fire at Windsor Castle twenty-seven years ago,” he wrote. “We send you our most profound sympathy, however inadequate that may be.”
Windsor Castle fire 1992.Tim Graham/Getty Images
On the morning of Nov. 20, 1992, the Windsor Castle fire started in Queen Victoria’s Private Chapel when a spotlight ignited a curtain. The blaze quickly spread to the Brunswick Tower, St. George’s Hall and the private apartments in the eastern wing of the building.
Queen Elizabethwas informed about the fire in a phone call from son Prince Andrew, who was at the castle when the fire broke out.
Windsor Castle fire 1992.Tim Graham/Getty
Two hundred and twenty-five firemen worked to put the blaze out for 15 hours, at the peak using 36 pumps to spray 1½ million gallons of water.
Windsor Castle fire 1992.David Giles - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
Windsor Castle fire 1992.Tim Ockenden/PA Images via Getty Images
Nine principal state rooms were destroyed, with over 100 more being severely damaged – around one-fifth of the castle’s area. The roof of St. George’s Hall had collapsed, as did the floors of the Brunswick Tower.
Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle fire 1992.
Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle fire 1992.Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
In response, the Queen agreed to open up parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time, with money from the entry fee going towards Windsor’s restoration. This covered most of the repair bill, while the Queen donated $2.6 million of her personal wealth to the project.
The final cost was about $47.5 million (equivalent to about $86 million in today’s money).
Windsor Castle fire restoration.
Windsor Castle fire restoration.David Cheskin - PA Images/PA Images via Getty
The official completion date for the restoration project was November 20, 1997, five years to the day after the outbreak of the fire and the 50th wedding anniversary of the Queen andPrince Philip.
The royal couple was seen showing the refurbished St. George’s Hall to President George W. Bush and his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, during their 2008 visit.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush.Tim Graham/Getty
As of Tuesday evening local time,around $790 million has been raisedfor what is sure to be a massive rebuilding project at the Notre Dame. Much of that money is coming from some wealthy French citizens, including Salma Hayek’s husband François-Henri Pinault, who heads Kering SA, the fashion company behind Gucci and Alexander McQueen among other luxury designers. Pinaultpledged a donation of €100 million($113 million).
Bernard Arnault, who heads Kering’s rival company LVMH, which is the parent company of Louis Vuitton, Moët and Hennessy pledged that he and his company would donate €200 million ($226 million) to the reconstruction.
source: people.com
