King Charles hailed the Bayeux Tapestry as a "precious symbol of trust" between nations as he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the unveiling of the medieval artwork at the British Museum. The event marks a landmark moment in Anglo-French relations, as the nearly 1,000-year-old, 70-metre embroidery is loaned to Britain by France for the first time in its history, following years of negotiations to transport the extraordinarily fragile piece across the Channel.

Speaking in both English and French, Charles described the tapestry's story as one of "ambition and uncertainty, of oaths and journeys, of ships, councils, kings, comets and consequences," noting it was commissioned in Normandy but likely embroidered by English craftspeople in Canterbury. The King and Macron arrived together in the State Bentley, while Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron followed separately, both wearing white dresses. They were greeted by Andy Burnham and his wife before being guided through the exhibition, which opens to the public next week, by museum director Dr Nicholas Cullinan and curators, pausing at famous scenes including Harold's death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.