Macron to meet UK PM Andy Burnham, UK source says

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host French President Emmanuel Macron in London next week, a UK government source said Thursday, in the first visit by an EU leader since Burnham took office last month.

Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer on July 20, will welcome Macron during a visit to the UK capital, the source said.

The visit comes days before the British Museum's Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens to the public on September 10. The 11th-century tapestry arrived in London last month after leaving France for the first time in more than 900 years, and is due to remain on display until next July.

Macron announced the Bayeux loan last year after years of discussions, describing it as a celebration of Franco-British relations.

The visit follows years of strained ties between London and European capitals after Brexit. Starmer had promised to reset relations with the European Union after taking office in July 2024, and London and Brussels reached a defence and trade pact in May 2025. Britain is also due to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme from 2027.

A planned UK-EU summit on strengthening ties was delayed after Starmer resigned following a loss of support inside the Labour party. Downing Street said the postponed summit would be held later this year.

Burnham visited Kyiv earlier this week on his first overseas trip as prime minister and co-chaired a meeting of Ukraine allies with Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. On the train to Ukraine, Burnham met EU Council President Antonio Costa and said the UK had to be bolder about getting closer to the bloc, according to Downing Street.