French President Emmanuel Macron begins a two-day visit to Britain on Wednesday, opening a landmark exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry, the 11th-century embroidery depicting the Norman conquest of England, before holding his first in-depth talks with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Thursday.
The tapestry left France for the first time in more than 900 years when it was moved to London in July. Macron backed its loan to the British Museum, where it will be displayed until July 2027.
The 70-metre work will be displayed flat along its full length in London, rather than hung vertically as in Bayeux, Normandy. Macron is “very eager” to see it presented in optimal conditions, a French presidential official said.
Experts had feared the fragile work could be damaged during the move, but the Ministry of Culture said it arrived in good condition.
Bayeux fever
The exhibition opens to the public on 10 September and runs until 11 July 2027. The British Museum sold its first 100,000 tickets in less than 24 hours on 1 July, and the show is sold out until the end of the year.
The visit turns to diplomacy on Thursday. Burnham replaced Keir Starmer in July after Starmer was ousted by his Labour party despite winning a landslide parliamentary majority in 2024.
Burnham has called for closer ties with the European Union and pressed France for help stopping migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. He has also maintained British support for Ukraine.
The economic issues remain difficult despite warmer political ties, Anand Menon, professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College London, told the French news agency AFP. Questions affecting growth were still “very, very tricky indeed”, he added.
Old ties, new partner
Macron had built a close working relationship with Starmer, particularly over Ukraine and the Middle East. The pair took leading roles in the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine.
Coordination with Burnham was expected to be “just as important and regular”, a French presidential official said.
Burnham has hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street, the British prime minister’s office, and made Kyiv his first overseas trip.
On the train to Ukraine, Burnham met Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and told him “the UK had to be bolder in terms of getting closer to the bloc”, Downing Street said.
Macron is also expected to meet King Charles III during the visit.
(with newswires)
