France has postponed the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain amid country-wide strikes.
Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed in July that the more than 900-year-old tapestry would be loaned to the British Museum for 10 months.
Under the deal, the tapestry is set to be temporarily exchanged for the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial.
However, the transfer of the artwork has been put on hold over fears that ongoing protests in France could pose a risk to the "security of such a high-profile transfer".
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in anti-austerity protests across France today.
They are urging President Emmanuel Macron and his new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to acknowledge their anger and scrap looming budget cuts.
Teachers, train drivers, pharmacists and hospital staff were among those who went on strike as part of the day of protests, while teenagers blocked dozens of high schools for hours.
According to The Telegraph, Philippe Bélaval, who is responsible for lending the tapestry to the museum, said: "Due to the expected mobilisation tomorrow in the Calvados department, the prefect does not feel able to ensure the security of such a high-profile transfer and [...] of such a costly work."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The tapestry stretches longer than an Olympic swimming pool at 68.3 metres | GETTY
Mr Bélaval however, said the transfer would be taking place within the "coming days".
The loan deal proved controversial following its announcement, with more than 70,000 people having signed a petition in opposition to it.
Petitioners fear the historic tapestry could be damaged during the transfer to Britain.
With the medieval masterpiece being 224ft long, only a few institutions can safely display the tapestry, and with it being nine centuries since it was in the country, it is expected to be a significant moment in British history.
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in anti-austerity protests across France today
|REUTERS
The tapestry has been held across the Channel ever since it was created in the wake of the 1066 Norman Invasion.
It tells the story of the Norman invasion and how King Harold of England was killed by an arrow to the eye.
It has been displayed in the Bayeux Museum in Normandy since 1983.
UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, described it as "one of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK".
The Bayeux Tapestry will be put on display at the British Museum from September next year
|REUTERS
"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," she said.
"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."
Director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, added: "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."