Article content

French President Emmanuel Macron kicked off a two-day visit to Britain Wednesday, meeting King Charles III at his London residence ahead of viewing the landmark Bayeux Tapestry exhibition with the monarch and their wives.

Sign In or Create an Account

or View more offersArticle content

Macron and wife Brigitte met Charles and Queen Camilla at Clarence House in central London, before joining Prime Minister Andy Burnham at an event to mark the British Museum’s historic tapestry showcase.

Article contentArticle content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

All three men were expected to deliver remarks at the early evening inauguration ceremony in the British capital.

Article contentArticle content

The work depicting the 1066 Norman conquest of England — which had not left France since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago — goes on public display at the museum from next week until July.

Article content

The daring loan gambit is the culmination of years of cross-Channel diplomacy, with Macron playing an instrumental role, and is viewed as another step towards healing the rancour of the Brexit years.

Article content

“The loaning of the tapestry is a great example of French-British cooperation,” Burnham told MPs earlier Wednesday, heralding “the same cooperation” as helping reduce the number of migrants crossing the Channel to Britain on small boats to a seven-year low.

Article contentArticle content

The UK premier — who replaced Keir Starmer in July — will be looking for other concrete outcomes when he welcomes Macron to Downing Street for talks Thursday. The French president will be the first European Union leader hosted there by Burnham.

Article content

The former Manchester mayor has been clear he is eager to build on his predecessor’s efforts to forge closer post-Brexit cooperation with the bloc as he eyes boosting sluggish U.K. growth.

Article content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

He has largely focused on domestic policy since taking over, but has maintained London’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Article contentRead More

  1. Moscow warns of ‘consequences’ after reports U.K.-made drones hit Russia
  2. France is desperate for more Canadair water bombers but the wait is long
  3. Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Anand Menon, professor of European politics and foreign affairs at Kings College London, warned there was a danger the visit would be “style without substance,” even though Britain and France can appear “best buddies” on non-EU business like Ukraine.

Article content

Macron and Starmer enjoyed good ties and adopted lead roles in a so-called Coalition of the Willing of nations supporting Ukraine.

Article content

“The president had developed with prime minister Starmer a very friendly and highly effective relationship, particularly on Ukraine and the Middle East,” a French presidential official said, asking not to be named.

Article content

Coordination with Burnham was expected to be “just as important and regular,” added the official.

Article content

For Macron, who arrived from a trip to the Netherlands, the visit is significant as he approaches the final months of his presidential term.

Article content

The French leader remains eager to press his vision of European sovereignty not dependent on the United States — and the U.K. is seen as having a crucial role to play even after its EU divorce.