‘It’s coming home!’: – King makes sure
King makes sure ‘It’s coming home!’
Sadly, not the football. But the Bayeux Tapestry is back on English soil after 950 years.
It was the early 1930’s when Britain first requested to “borrow” it from France, but it was deemed too fragile to move.
Various diplomats and prime ministers have attempted to persuade French authorities that the famous artwork, telling the story of the Anglo-Saxon defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, deserved to travel across the English Channel for British citizens to see.
With the museum in Bayeux in need of refurbishment, it was the perfect opportunity for the tapestry to find a temporary home in London.
So this week, as a result of careful negotiation and planning, the Bayeux Tapestry was officially unveiled at the British Museum in London, with the King and the French President standing side by side.
The Queen, Mrs Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham were among those at the official ceremony who walked the length of the 70-metre masterpiece.
It was an example of the King exercising his soft power, highlighting the shared cultures between Britain and France.
During a speech, the King told the French President: “I well remember our discussing this possibility during our state visit to France in 2023.”
“It is a particular joy, therefore, to see the hope become reality.”
King Charles, Queen Camilla and French President Emmanuel Macron saw the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum this week
“Indeed, it is thanks to the certainty you have always had – and which I very much share – that we are here this evening in order that the tapestry should be seen, in London, for the benefit of the peoples of both our countries: the best possible symbol of that ‘entente amicale’, of which we have both spoken so fondly.”
The day after the ceremony, and after a private tea with the King and Queen at Clarence House, President Macron travelled to Downing Street for talks with Andy Burnham about the small boats crisis.
Perhaps His Majesty’s diplomatic skills had softened the President’s approach to dealing with Britain’s request for more support in stopping illegal migrants attempting to cross the English Channel.
This week, I was covering the King’s first public appearance since Prince Harry and Meghan returned to the UK.
His Majesty attended a garden party in Bayswater, celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship.
In a preview engagement to his major Caribbean tour next month, where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua, King Charles met a number of students from the “family of nations”.
Many of them won places to stay in the Victoria League’s hostel during their studies in London, and His Majesty seemed very keen to hear their stories.
As he was doing so, a wasp decided to buzz around him before landing on the back of his head.
A protection officer quickly batted the insect away, and His Majesty was unharmed.
Chairman John Steel said to the King in his speech: “Your leadership of the Commonwealth we consider to be of incredible importance.”
“So do all the nations of the Commonwealth.”
His Majesty, who is Patron of the Victoria League, laughed as the plaque he was unveiling fell to the ground as he removed a blue cloth to unveil it.
An uninvited guest briefly stole the show the garden party celebrating the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship’s 125th anniversary in Bayswater, London
QUEEN REOPENS LIBRARY DESTROYED BY SOUTHPORT RIOTERS
The Queen has praised a community that brought a library back “from the ashes” after it was set on fire during the Southport riots in the summer of 2024.
After three young girls were murdered, and many more injured, during a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, violent disorder broke out.
Spellow Community Hub and Library was caught up in the chaos and was set alight by rioters.
Queen Camilla previously donated a box of books when the library was initially restocked, but brought more books along with her during Friday’s visit.
After unveiling a plaque, she said: “You can never have too many books. I’ve brought some more and it’s so wonderful to see this place rise from the ashes.
“Congratulations to all of you who made it happen.
The Queen has praised a community that brought a library back ‘from the ashes’ after it was set on fire during the Southport riots in the summer of 2024
“It was such a terrible story and it’s had a happy ending.”
Sean McEvoy accompanied Her Majesty during the visit, and read Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae to the children alongside her.
He said: “There are so many positives that came from what happened.
“We’ve moved past the point where we talk about it and how it made us feel and now we look at the community’s reaction and focus a lot more on the positives out of it.
“It has been amazing since the library reopened.
“It’s been great to have the Queen visit today. It’s good for the community and good for the library and they deserve it.”
The Queen also met emergency workers from the police and fire service involved in dealing with the 2024 riots, and saw photographs of the damage to the library after the fire.
She also met Alex McCormick, who was behind an online fundraiser that smashed its target of raising £500, exceeding it by around £250,000.
