UK’s Burnham to host Macron in London next week

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host French President Emmanuel Macron in London next week, according to a UK government source. This marks the first visit by an EU leader since Burnham assumed office last month. Macron's trip comes just days before the British Museum's Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens to the public on September 10.

The 11th-century tapestry, which arrived in London from France for the first time in 900 years, will be on display until next July. Macron had played a crucial role in securing the loan of the medieval work last year, after years of negotiations and setbacks. The tapestry's loan was hailed as a symbol of Franco-British relations, coming after a period of strained ties between the two countries due to Brexit.

Burnham, who succeeded Keir Starmer in July 2024, has been focused on reviving EU relations, which had been damaged by the UK's departure from the bloc. Starmer's predecessor, Burnham, had only welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street since he became prime minister. Recently, Burnham visited Kyiv and co-chaired a meeting with Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasizing the UK's intent to strengthen ties with its allies.

The postponed UK-EU summit aimed at strengthening relations, scheduled for July, is now expected to take place later in the year.