Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and one of US president-elect Donald Trump’s closest allies, is set to attend the opening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.

Musk, who has taken a highly visible role at Trump’s side since his re-election on Nov 5, is expected to attend the much-awaited event  on Saturday, which will see around 40 world leaders to mark the reopening of the Gothic masterpiece.

Trump accepted Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to attend and to meet Macron at the Elysee Palace, in a major coup for the French president as this is Mr Trump’s first foreign trip since his election.

Other guests include Prince William and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who will meet Mr Macron for a bilateral meeting ahead of the ceremony.

The service will feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral’s choir, followed by the televised concert which was pre-recorded Friday night due to bad forecast weather.

It will see performances by Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang, South African opera singer Pretty Yende and an orchestra conducted by Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams is also believed to have taken part.