King Charles III and Queen Camilla have joined French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at the British Museum in London to view the historic Bayeux Tapestry.
The nearly 1,000-year-old embroidered masterpiece tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, including events leading up to the Battle of Hastings.
For King Charles, the visit carries a personal historical connection, as he is a descendant of William the Conqueror, whose victory changed the course of English history.
The 70-metre tapestry has been loaned to Britain by France, marking its first return to English soil since it was created centuries ago.
The cultural exchange is also being seen as a symbol of closer relations between Britain and France, with Charles describing the tapestry as a powerful reminder of the countries’ shared history and future.
The visit comes during Macron’s official trip to Britain, with the two countries also seeking closer cooperation on wider political and international issues.
The exhibition will open to the public on September 10 and run until July next year, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the medieval masterpiece in Britain.
The historic display brings together royal tradition, European history and modern diplomacy, turning the Bayeux Tapestry into a symbol not only of the past, but also of renewed friendship between Britain and France.
