During his visit to the British Museum in London, King Charles remarked that the loan of the Bayeux tapestry serves as an exemplary representation of the “entente amicale” between France and the United Kingdom. The renowned embroidered artwork, which tells the story of a historical conflict, now stands as a cherished emblem of trust nearly a millennium later, particularly at a time when international trust appears to be diminishing.
Speaking at the newly launched exhibition, King Charles emphasized the “70 meters of memory and artistry,” which highlight the long-standing connection between the two nations. He was joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham during this significant occasion.
In a speech partially delivered in French, Charles stated, “We have defended our values together in times of peril; we continue to do so today across the world.” He expressed hope that the tapestry, along with other treasures to be exchanged, would symbolize not just their shared history but also a collaborative future for Britain and France.
Macron, addressing the audience in both French and English, acknowledged that the return of the tapestry had required some patience, recalling that he first mentioned the idea in 2018. He humorously noted that since the initial British request dates back to 1931, an eight-year wait could be seen as a relatively swift accomplishment.
Macron expressed his aspiration for the two nations to create a bond as strong as the threads in the thousand-year-old tapestry now displayed in the UK. The Bayeux tapestry, which chronicles the Norman conquest, has returned to Britain for the first time in nearly a thousand years and is on loan until September 2027, as part of a special trilateral agreement involving the UK, France, and the museum.
King Charles’ reference to “entente amicale” was a rebranding of the historical “entente cordiale,” a phrase he used during a banquet speech at Windsor Castle while hosting the Macrons in July of the previous year. During Wednesday’s visit, he conveyed his “deepest appreciation” to Macron and the French people for their trust in the UK, which led to this unprecedented loan.
He remarked, “It once depicted warriors crossing the Channel; yet today it forms part of a cultural exchange that will see some of the British Museum’s own precious artifacts travel to France in return, in a spirit of friendship.” He also expressed gratitude to all those involved in facilitating the loan and pointed out that the tapestry’s scenes reflect the intricate preparations and discussions that characterized historical events, even in the 11th century.
The gathering, which included Queen Camilla, France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, and Burnham’s wife, Marie-France van Heel, paused at significant scenes along the tapestry to learn from curators about key historical moments, including the coronation of Harold Godwinson and the controversial depiction of his death by an arrow to the eye during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Earlier in the day, during his first prime minister’s questions, Burnham highlighted the tapestry’s loan as a prime example of French-British collaboration, which he noted has also contributed to reducing summertime small boat crossings to a seven-year low. He further mentioned the Bayeux Around Britain program, which aims to display a digital exhibition of the tapestry in museums, galleries, and castles across all four nations, providing communities throughout the UK a chance to engage with one of the pivotal narratives of their history.
