皇家三人組在倫敦揭幕史詩般的貝葉掛毯之旅！

King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham are set to preview the famous Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum in London. This event is considered one of the biggest cultural highlights of the year. The tapestry, which is about 70 meters long, was originally made in England but has been kept in France for hundreds of years. It tells the story of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold to become the ruler of England. The tapestry is a national treasure for France, and President Macron said that letting the British Museum display it until July 2027 is a strong symbol of the close relationship between the UK and France.

The official preview will take place before the tapestry opens to the public on September 10. King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Burnham and his wife, and President Macron and his wife will all be shown important scenes from the tapestry, such as the crowning of King Harold and his death in battle. School children from both the UK and France will also attend, and both King Charles and President Macron are expected to give speeches about the importance of this historic loan. The idea to bring the tapestry to London was first announced during President Macron’s state visit to the UK in July 2025. There were some concerns about moving the fragile tapestry, but French officials have said that the British Museum has perfect conditions for displaying it. In fact, the tapestry will be shown lying flat, which is better for its preservation.

The Bayeux Tapestry is more than 900 years old and has survived many dangers. For example, during the French Revolution in the 18th century, it was almost cut up to make covers for soldiers’ carts, but it was saved just in time. Some parts of the tapestry are missing, probably lost or destroyed over the centuries. The tapestry is made of dyed wool stitched onto linen and includes 58 scenes, 627 people, 737 animals, 37 ships, and 23 trees, with Latin words explaining the story. It is believed that English women made the tapestry for the new Norman rulers in the 1070s. As part of this cultural exchange, the UK is also lending France some treasures from the British Museum’s Sutton Hoo collection. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that the Bayeux Tapestry is a symbol of the unique history shared by Britain and France, and that many British children will remember seeing it for the rest of their lives. Tickets to see the tapestry are already sold out until the end of 2026, and the next set of tickets will be available in October for visits in early 2027. The event is not just about history, but also about celebrating the friendship and shared heritage between the two countries.