News · 27 February 2026
Ancient tapestry, £800M risk: Bayeux's controversial UK loan
photo by Gabriel Seah via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
The 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry is set to go on public display at the British Museum from September 2026, the first time it will have been in the UK since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago. The loan, announced by France and Britain during President Macron's state visit in July 2025, has proved controversial, with more than 76,000 people signing a French petition opposing the move due to concerns about the fragile linen artwork. The British government has agreed to provide taxpayer-backed indemnity cover of around £800 million under the UK Government Indemnity Scheme should anything go wrong during the loan.
Reported by Sky News · How we write briefs