French President Emmanuel Macron extended a notably tactile greeting to Queen Camilla during the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry at London's British Museum, an event that underscored the robust relationship between Britain and France.
Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, joined King Charles and Queen Camilla for the historic occasion. The 70-meter-long embroidery, on loan to Britain from France for the first time in its nearly 1,000-year history, was described by King Charles as a "precious symbol of trust" between the two nations.
Video footage captured Macron, 48, placing a hand on Queen Camilla's back as the two couples arrived at the exhibition. Camilla, 79, wore an Anna Valentine white dress, while Brigitte Macron opted for a matching all-white ensemble. As the Queen acknowledged the crowds, Macron offered his greeting before moving to greet Brigitte. The French President and his wife were later seen holding hands as they entered the museum, with the King and Queen proceeding ahead.
King Charles, speaking in both English and French, emphasized the tapestry's significance as a reminder of the enduring ties between the United Kingdom and France. He noted that the artwork, while recounting a conflict, now serves as a symbol of trust in a time when such trust is scarce between nations. He concluded his remarks by expressing hope that the tapestry and its returning treasures would symbolize a shared past and a future "woven by Britain and France together."
The tapestry's journey to Britain involved extensive negotiations, with Macron recalling discussions about the loan dating back to a 2018 visit to Sandhurst. He remarked that while the loan process required patience, eight years was a "speed record" considering the antiquity of the artifact. He also praised the "entente cordiale" between the two countries, referencing Britain's roles in NATO and the G7, and acknowledging Prime Minister Andy Burnham's recent visit to Ukraine.
The exhibition viewing included discussions about specific scenes on the tapestry, such as the depiction of Harold's coronation and his traditionally understood death by an arrow to the eye at the Battle of Hastings. King Charles inquired about the visibility of the arrow in the depiction. The conversation also touched upon the complex logistical operation required to transport the delicate, nearly 1,000-year-old embroidery, which took 18 hours to move across the English Channel under stringent precautions.
The Royal Family's official Instagram account thanked France for the "historic loan," calling the tapestry a "magical stitch in a story that has bound our two nations together through history."
Earlier, Charles and Macron arrived together in a State Bentley, while Camilla and Brigitte followed in another vehicle. They were welcomed by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel, along with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Sir Thomas Drew, Britain's ambassador to France. Burnham and Macron were observed to be at ease, chatting and at times with arms around each other, while Van Heel conversed with Brigitte Macron in French.