French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to London on Wednesday for his first meeting with the United Kingdom's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, in what will be the first visit by a European Union leader since he took office. Macron will also unveil the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum in a "significant moment" for Franco-British relations.
Macron will meet Burnham – elected following the resignation of Keir Starmer, who had worked closely and built a good relationship with Macron – on Thursday, the presidency announced.
"The president had developed a very friendly and highly effective relationship, particularly on Ukraine and the Middle East, with prime minister Starmer," a presidential official said.
The two leaders notably spearheaded the 37-member Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Coordination with Burnham was expected to be "just as important and regular", the official added.
"Contact was established immediately" with Burnham, the presidency said, noting that among Burnham's first steps in office was a trip to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine.
Macron is also expected to have "an opportunity to greet King Charles", a presidential adviser added, without providing details.
'Unprecedented exchange'
Macron's inauguration of the exhibition marking the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum was described by a presidential adviser as "a particularly significant moment" for Franco-British relations – and one personally championed by the French president.
Announcing the loan in July last year Macron said: "By its symbolic, unprecedented nature, and the priceless value of the loaned pieces, this unprecedented exchange signifies the desire to revitalise the cultural relationship between our two countries and the trust that exists between us today."
The 70-metre tapestry, the 11th-century work depicting William the Conqueror's conquest of England, left France for the first time in more than 900 years when it was transported to London under tight security in July.
On Friday, the British Museum revealed some sections of the work depicting the 1066 Battle of Hastings and the invasion by William the Conqueror's Norman army.
It will be open to the public from 10 September until 11 July, 2027, with 100,000 tickets already sold for the first four months of the exhibition.
Macron, who will be accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron, is "very eager" to see the tapestry displayed "in optimal conditions".
(with AFP)
