UK to Underwrite £800 Million Indemnity for Bayeux Tapestry Loan

Overview

• The indemnity awaits formal approval from Chancellor Rachel Reeves after a provisional valuation from the Treasury of roughly £800 million.
• The cover is a contingent liability under the Government Indemnity Scheme, with no payout unless the tapestry is damaged or lost.
• A six-page Anglo–French agreement mandates a replica trial with vibration monitoring, a custom transport crate, a protective display screen, and truck transport via the Channel Tunnel.
• The tapestry is slated to be displayed at the British Museum’s Sainsbury Gallery from September 2026 through July 2027, with a return condition report funded by the museum.
• The loan is part of a broader Franco‑British cultural exchange tied to President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit, while conservators in France warn that moving the fragile textile carries risks.