King hails Bayeux Tapestry a ‘precious symbol of trust’ between nations during star-studded unveiling
Charles joked that the famous tapestry must be ‘well-insured’ as the historic work went on show
The King has joked that the Bayeux Tapestry must be “well-insured” as the historic artwork went on display at the British Museum on Wednesday evening.
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Charles and Queen Camilla joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Andy Burnham for the official opening of the exhibition, which brings the 11th-century tapestry to the UK.
Speaking at the event, the King said it was a “particular joy” to see the long-held ambition become reality, recalling discussions about the loan during his state visit to France in 2023.
“It is a particular joy, therefore, to see the hope become reality,” he said.
The monarch described the tapestry as “the best possible symbol” of the “Entente amicale” between Britain and France, thanking the diplomats, conservators, security teams and officials involved in securing the loan.
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Charles joked that, although he is “undoubtedly the direct descendant of King William the First”, the 13th-century Treaty of Paris “may sadly affect” any claim he has to be the current Duke of Normandy.
He said the tapestry tells neither a purely English nor French story, suggesting it may have united the two nations from its creation - commissioned in Normandy but likely embroidered in Canterbury by English craftspeople.
“The Bayeux Tapestry, or the Canterbury Embroidery as it might just have been called, recounts a conflict,” he said.
“Yet here it is today, nearly a thousand years later, as a precious symbol of trust at a time when trust seems, sadly, to be in short supply between nations.”
The King added that he believed William I and King Harold “would look with satisfaction” on the Franco-British gathering.
In a public display of warm Anglo-French relations, the monarch and Camilla greeted Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte in front of the landmark, with the group welcomed by Chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne.
Other invitees include former PM Theresa May, Sir David Davis, Tracey Emin, with guests granted access to the length of the 70-metre masterpiece inside the British Museum.
Guests were also joined by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron and Mr Burnham’s wife Marie-France van Heel.
The Tapestry – the woven record of the Norman conquest – has returned to the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years, on loan until September 2027 as part of a special trilateral agreement between the UK, France and the museum.
The party will stop at key moments along the 11th century artwork to hear from curators about historic events such as the coronation of Harold Godwinson and the much-disputed depiction of his death by an arrow to the eye at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
The King and Mr Macron will deliver speeches in celebration of the loan at a reception in the museum’s Great Court for representatives from Britain and France involved in the process and schoolchildren from both countries.
Among those greeting the royals and the Macrons will be the museum’s director Nicholas Cullinan and its chair, former chancellor George Osborne.
The monarch and the president enjoy a friendly rapport, with the King hosting the Macrons for a state visit in July last year.
Charles rebranded the famous entente cordiale between the two nations as the entente “amicale” in his banquet speech in Windsor Castle.
Mr Macron is the first European leader to visit the UK since Mr Burnham took office, and it is the first time the pair will meet.
The Prime Minister is then set to welcome Mr Macron to Downing Street on Thursday for their first bilateral meeting, which is expected to focus on tackling small boat crossings, the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and trade and energy.
The visit is seen as another sign the former mayor of Greater Manchester looks set to continue his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer’s policy of a “reset” of relations between the UK and the EU.
Mr Burnham said: “The return of the Bayeux Tapestry to England is a landmark moment in the history of our two nations, and I want people everywhere in the country to be able to enjoy it.”
He added: “As we celebrate our shared heritage, President Macron and I will continue to strengthen the relationship between our two nations.”
The Labour leader also said the Bayeux Around Britain programme, which will see the digital exhibition displayed in museums, galleries and castles in all four nations, would “give communities across the UK the opportunity to learn about one of the defining stories of our past”.
A live national history lesson on October 14 will teach thousands of schoolchildren about the significance of the tapestry.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “This will be the first generation in 1,000 years who will be able to see this unique part of our heritage and we are determined that children from all backgrounds across every part of Britain have the chance to see it.
“The British Museum has pulled out all the stops to ensure that a generation of British children will remember it for the rest of their lives.”
British Museum director Mr Cullinan said the initiative to ensure the exhibition was not confined to London marked “the most ambitious and inclusive programme we or any museum in the UK has ever done”.