Key facts
- French President Emmanuel Macron visited London for a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry.
- King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined Macron for the viewing at the British Museum.
- The 70-meter tapestry, depicting the Norman Conquest, is on loan from France until July 2027.
- Macron and Burnham are expected to discuss bilateral relations, including migrant crossings and the EU.
- The exhibition opens to the public on September 10 and is already sold out until the end of 2026.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited London to attend a preview of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum alongside King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The 70-meter medieval tapestry, which chronicles the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, is on a loan from France until July 2027. This visit marks the first official joint engagement for King Charles and Prime Minister Burnham since Burnham took office in July. The loan is considered a powerful symbol of the close ties between the UK and France, with President Macron stating that the end of the tapestry's story is yet to be written, implying a continued shared future. Discussions between Macron and Burnham are expected to cover topics such as support for Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and relations with the European Union, as well as the issue of small boats crossing the Channel. The British Museum's display conditions were deemed ideal for the tapestry's conservation, with visitors seeing it laid flat. As part of the cultural exchange, the UK is lending treasures from the Sutton Hoo burial to France. Demand for tickets to see the tapestry has been strong, with the exhibition already sold out until the end of 2026.