The Bayeux Tapestry will return to England for the first time in 900 years in a new deal with France. 

British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce that the historic artefact will arrive in the UK at the British Museum next year on loan from France. 

The iconic depiction of the 1066 Norman Conquest including the Battle of Hastings will be temporarily swapped with the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial.

The 70-metre-long work, which is more than 900-years-old, depicts the battle which saw William The Conqueror take the English throne from Harold Godwinson and become the first Norman king of England.

It is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century and was likely to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo Of Bayeux.

It has been on display in various locations across France during its history, and in 1983 was moved to the Bayeux Museum in Normandy where it attracts 400,000 visitors per year.

The Sutton Hoo treasures, discovered as part of a seventh century Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk in 1939, provide insight into England during the period before the Norman Conquest.

Some of the impressive artefacts which are believed to have been part of a burial of a 1,400-year-old king include a helmet, weapons, coins and jewels. 

The Bayeux Tapestry (pictured) will return to England for the first time in 900 years in a new deal with France 

The 70-metre-long work, which is more than 900-years-old, depicts the battle which saw William The Conqueror (pictured) take the English throne from Harold Godwinson

It is widely accepted to have been made in England during the 11th century and was likely to have been commissioned by Bishop Odo Of Bayeux

The exchange is part of a season of culture in 2027 celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of William The Conqueror, and the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France from the UK.

The swapping of ancient treasures also coincides with the Bayeux Museum's two-year renovation which will see the site extended WITH The British Museum chosen because of its ability to preserve and care for the textile, The Telegraph reports. 

The tapestry will be displayed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery of the British Museum between September 2026 and July 2027. 

Director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations.

'It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum and we are profoundly grateful to everyone involved.

'This will be the first time the Bayeux Tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000-years-ago.

'We are also delighted to send the Lewis Chessmen, and some of our treasures from Sutton Hoo - the greatest archaeological discovery in Britain - to France in return.

'This is exactly the kind of international partnership that I want us to champion and take part in, sharing the best of our collection as widely as possible, and in return displaying global treasures never seen here before.'

The tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings and is rich in detail, with Latin labels to narrate key figures including King Harold who was mythically killed with an arrow to his eye (pictured)

It has been displayed the Bayeux Museum in Normandy since 1983, where it attracts 400,000 visitors per year

The piece was likely made by English embroiderers and was created to celebrate the victory of the invading William I

The 224ft-long artefact has been carefully preserved for 900 years and will be exchanged with the Sutton Hoo collection

A section of the tapestry showing King William's soldiers with horses

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome it here in 2026.

'This loan is a symbol of our shared history with our friends in France, a relationship built over centuries and one that continues to endure.

'The British Museum is one of the world's most visited museums and is a fitting place to host this most treasured piece of our nation's history.'

The deal was reportedly pushed through by the former Lib Dem leader and now British Museum Chairman George Osborne who, The Telegraph reports, has been more willing to engage in deals over historic artefacts. 

The exciting deal comes as French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in Britain for their three-day state visit.

The visiting leader was welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales after disembarking his jet before the first lady at RAF Northolt in West London today.

William and Kate greeted the Macrons at about 11.30am and travelled with them to Windsor to meet the King and Queen Camilla for a carriage procession. 

After the Macrons travelled to Windsor with Kate and William, Charles and Camilla formally greeted their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in the town - with Windsor Castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.  

The Sutton Hoo treasures, discovered as part of a seventh century Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk in 1939, provide insight into England during the period before the Norman Conquest

Some of the impressive artefacts which are believed to have been part of a burial of a 1,400-year-old king include a helmet, weapons, coins and jewels

A picture of the original dig which led to the discovery of the Sutton Hoo ship burial - the original ship had largely decayed, leaving an imprint of it in the mud

Later, the King will stress the vital partnership between France and the UK in the face of a 'multitude of complex threats' at the state banquet in honour of Mr Macron, declaring 'as friends and as allies, we face them together'.

At a glittering banquet at Windsor Castle this evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, highlighting how 'these challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time'.

But he will tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: 'Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.'

Charles and Camilla are hosting Mr Macron and the first lady at the historic royal residence.

The exciting deal comes as French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in Britain for their three-day state visit (pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales_ 

French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by the Prince of Wales at RAF Northolt today

King Charles and Queen Camilla formally greeted their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in the town 

The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of 'shared history and culture between our two peoples', including many of the royal family's personal connections to France.

'For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other', he will say, and reveal how he remains 'in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements'.

Charles will also hail the Anglo-French partnership as vital amid the many challenges of today, saying: 'Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together.'

It marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and will see Mr Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street.