By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-02 17:10:32 | Updated at 2026-09-02 18:06:28
59 minutes ago
King Charles and Queen Camilla are viewing the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum this evening alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and his wife Marie-France Van-Heel.
The royals and politicians stepped out into the museum’s Great Court after completing a private tour of the famous medieval artwork.
They were met by groups of British and French schoolchildren, as well as official delegates involved in organising the historic cross-Channel loan.
The King and President Macron will later address the crowd to mark the event.
Earlier this evening, Charles and Camilla hosted the French President and First Lady for a private tea at Clarence House.
Together, they visited Fabuleu du Maucour, the wonderful horse presented by Mr Macron to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and which has since served as an outstanding ceremonial horse, as Master of the Horse’s charger at Trooping, and as an outrider at recent state visits.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Mr Burnham and the Macrons arrived together at the entrance of the British Museum this evening.
They were formally received on arrival by the Director of the British Museum, Dr Nicholas Cullinan, alongside the museum’s Chair, The Right Honourable George Osborne.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are viewing the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum this evening alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and his wife Marie-France Van-Heel
GB NEWS
Mr Burnham and Ms Van-Heel then brought the royal party and the French delegation into the building.
Inside the Salisbury Exhibition Gallery, the group walked the entire length of the embroidered cloth. Lead museum curators guided the royal party and political leaders through the display step by step, stopping at key panels to detail the history stitched into the fabric.
Curators pointed out specific famous scenes during the tour. These included the crowning of Harold Godwinson as King of England and the dramatic moment of his death after being struck in the eye by an arrow during the Battle of Hastings.
The public viewing follows a major international agreement between the United Kingdom and France.
The artwork depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy
GETTY
The artwork depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy.
This is the first time the Bayeux Tapestry has ever been loaned to the UK since its creation nearly 1,000 years ago.
The cultural deal behind the exhibition was first negotiated during a formal State Visit to the United Kingdom in July 2025.
President Macron and Mrs Macron visited the UK at the invitation of the King. During that visit, the British Government and the French Government announced a diplomatic exchange of historic items.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, accompanied by British Museum chairman George Osborne, arriving at the British Museum
GETTY
Under the terms of the cultural agreement, France agreed to permit the Bayeux Tapestry to travel across the English Channel for display at the British Museum.
In exchange, the United Kingdom agreed to send a selection of British national treasures over to France on temporary loan.
These items include historical artefacts recovered from the famous Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo.
The royal and presidential delegation have now concluded their private tour of the gallery and are taking part in the official reception ceremony inside the Great Court. Public viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum is scheduled to open following the speeches by the heads of state.
