Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Bayeux Tapestry: Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties
French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles III hailed UK-France ties on Wednesday after viewing the Bayeux Tapestry in London during Macron's two-day visit to Britain.
Macron, his wife Brigitte, King Charles and Queen Camilla met at Clarence House before joining British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, at the British Museum.
The event marked the museum's coming exhibition of the nearly 1,000-year-old tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England. The work had not left France since it was completed and will go on public display next week until July next year.
Macron said he hoped future generations would remember “the tale of two countries” that chose to build a bond “as close as the threads” of the embroidery.
Charles called the loan “a precious symbol of trust at a time when trust seems sadly to be in short supply between nations.”
Macron, who championed the loan, said Britain and France did not always agree but respected each other and remained open to discussing closer UK-European Union ties.
Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer on July 20, is due to host Macron for talks at Downing Street on Thursday. The talks are expected to cover post-Brexit cooperation, Ukraine and wider European ties.
Macron also referred to joint action with Britain in support of Ukraine. Burnham has maintained London's support for Kyiv and made his first overseas trip as prime minister to the Ukrainian capital.
Update
King Charles III praised the Bayeux Tapestry loan as a symbol of trust between nations.
Macron and Charles previewed the tapestry at the British Museum with their wives and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Macron said France and Britain did not always agree but remained open to discussing the UK reset with the European Union.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 19:44:05 UTC.
Update
Emmanuel Macron urged the UK and France to forge a “bond as close as threads” of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 18:13:56 UTC.
Update
Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron met King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Clarence House in London.
Macron and King Charles were due to view the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition with their wives before an inauguration ceremony.
Macron arrived in Britain from a trip to the Netherlands.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 16:42:50 UTC.
Update
Emmanuel Macron began a two-day visit to Britain on Wednesday.
Andy Burnham told parliament the tapestry loan was an example of French-British cooperation that had helped reduce summer small boat crossings to a seven-year low.
Burnham is looking for concrete outcomes in Thursday talks with Macron on post-Brexit cooperation.
A French presidential official said coordination with Burnham was expected to be as important and regular as Macron's work with Keir Starmer.
Anand Menon warned the visit risked being style without substance without progress on EU negotiations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 11:36:31 UTC.
Update
Charles and Camilla will join Macron at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 11:00:07 UTC.
Update
Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will join French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel will also join the tour.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 11:01:07 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .