King Charles and Macron visit the historic Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum

Today, Wednesday, King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron visited the exhibition that includes the historic Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, which is 70 meters long and dates back nearly 1,000 years and depicts William I’s conquest of England in 1066, after it was loaned from France under a government agreement, amid great demand, in which the first batch of tickets was sold out, generating revenues of approximately 2.5 million pounds sterling.

Under an agreement with the French government, the tapestry, which is 70 meters long, was loaned to the British Museum from its headquarters in northern France to be displayed on English soil for the first time since it was made.

This embroidered tapestry recounts the events leading up to the famous Battle of Hastings and the defeat of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II at the hands of the Normans. Historians believe that Bishop Odo, William's brother, ordered the fabric to be made and that English seamstresses in the Kent area embroidered it.

All kings of England since then, including King Charles, are descendants of William. His invasion of England represents the country's last successful invasion, and the year 1066 is considered one of the most famous years in its history.

The demand for viewing this medieval masterpiece was so great that the first batch of tickets, which could cost up to 33 pounds, were completely sold out, generating revenues of approximately 2.5 million pounds ($3.4 million), making this the museum's most ticket-selling exhibition.

Buckingham Palace said that King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, will be joined by Macron and his wife, along with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, to inspect the long tapestry and study its most prominent scenes, such as the coronation of Harold Godwinson and the famous incident of his killing with an arrow during the battle.

The loan of the fabric was confirmed in July during an official visit by Macron to Britain, and the move is a symbol of strengthening relations between the two countries after the dispute that followed Britain’s vote in 2016 in favor of leaving the European Union. The king and the president have a friendly relationship.

Burnham, who is scheduled to meet Macron in Downing Street tomorrow, Thursday, said in a statement: “The return of the Bayeux Tapestry to England represents a historic moment for our two countries, and I want people across the country to be able to enjoy it.”

He added: “As we celebrate our shared heritage, President Macron and I will continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”

The fabric arrived in Britain in July on a trip carefully organized by France, and was transported inside an air-conditioned, vibration-resistant box under police guard.

The exhibition is scheduled to open its doors to the public at the British Museum from September 10 until July next year.