The King and Queen view the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum with The President of the French Republic

Their Majesties, President Macron and Mrs. Macron arrived together at the British Museum and were met by the Director of the British Museum, Dr. Nicholas Cullinan and the museum’s Chair, George Osborne. Their Majesties, The President and Mrs. Macron were then joined by the Prime Minister and Ms Marie-France Van-Heel.

Within the Salisbury Exhibition Gallery, the group were shown the Bayeux Tapestry.

Following an historic agreement between the United Kingdom and France, the Bayeux Tapestry has been loaned by France to the UK for the first time since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago. The Tapestry depicts events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy, which culminated in the Battle of Hastings.

The King and Queen heard from curators working with the Tapestry, who pointed out historic elements including the Coronation of Harold Godwinson and his death by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings.

After viewing the Tapestry, Their Majesties entered the Museum’s Great Court to join representatives from Britain and France involved in the loan.

The King and President shared remarks celebrating the loan of the Tapestry to the British Museum.

His Majesty said:

Je ne saurais vous dire combien mon épouse et moi-même sommZ-heureux d’être parmi vous ce soir, au British Museum, après avoir admiré la Tapisserie de Bayeux – présentée ici au Royaume-Uni pour la première fois au cours de sa longue et remarquable histoire.

[TRANSLATION: I cannot tell you how delighted my wife and I are to be with you this evening at the British Museum, having just admired the Bayeux Tapestry — here on display in the United Kingdom for the first time in its long and remarkable history.]

Monsieur le Président, let me first extend my deepest appreciation to you, and to the French people, for the trust you have placed in the United Kingdom by agreeing to this unprecedented loan. I well remember our discussing this possibility during our State Visit to France in 2023; it is a particular joy therefore, to see the hope become reality.  Indeed, it is thanks to the certainty you have always had – and which I very much share – that we are here this evening in order that the Tapestry should be seen, in London, for the benefit of the peoples of both our countries, the best possible symbol of that 'Entente amicale', of which we have both spoken so fondly…

In July 2025, President Macron of France and Mrs Macron paid a State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of The King. During the State Visit, the then Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and President Macron announced a new cultural agreement which included the first-ever loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum. In exchange, the UK agreed to send national treasures to France including items from the Sutton Hoo burial.