The Bayeux Tapestry, on loan to the British Museum from France, is in "wonderful state" following its journey to London, French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard has said after inspecting it in person. The visit was intended to reassure sceptics, particularly in France, who had voiced concern that the fragile 11th-century embroidery was too precious to move from Bayeux to the UK ahead of its September display. Both French and British conservators say the transfer, the tapestry's first return to England in 1,000 years, has been carried out without damage.

Pégard viewed the artwork alongside British Museum chair George Osborne, who praised the "amazing job" done by French and British experts in transporting and unfurling the delicate 70-metre piece. It took conservation teams roughly 18 painstaking hours to unroll the tapestry from its protective, mattress-padded folding stand after it arrived by lorry from Normandy on 10 July. Curator Professor Michael Lewis, who first proposed the loan in 2013, said there was "no evidence" of any damage and described the Franco-British collaboration as "remarkable"; much of the piece remains covered in protective polyester sheeting to guard against light damage before the exhibition opens.