Overview
- The planned loan would bring the 11th‑century embroidery from Bayeux to the British Museum for a major exhibition as part of a reciprocal cultural exchange.
- David Hockney warns the move is too risky for the fragile textile, citing vulnerability to vibration, light and handling that could cause irreversible damage.
- The British Museum says its conservation and collections team is experienced and is coordinating the display with colleagues in France.
- Mitigations include a full‑scale facsimile ‘dry run’ to keep vibrations below a 2 mm‑per‑second threshold, a bespoke case, and reliance on a team trained by the French state and the city of Bayeux for transport and installation.
- The UK government has agreed contingent responsibility valued at roughly £800 million, while public opposition and expert concerns, including a large petition, continue to grow.