He acknowledged the immense public enthusiasm for the 960-year-old embroidery while addressing previous safety concerns raised by some French cultural figures.
"I don't take for granted that people care that much about a 1,000-year-old embroidery. I think that's an amazing thing," said Cullinan.
The loan was initially established in July 2025 during a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
It coincided with planned renovations at the tapestry's permanent home in Normandy.
"This has been a monumental effort from colleagues at the British Museum and our partners in the UK and France," said Cullinan.
In exchange for the historic artifact, the British Museum will loan treasures from the 7th-century Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon ship burial to Normandy museums.
"It feels extraordinary that after so much work and planning and care and thought that it's actually happening," said Cullinan.
The embroidery features 58 detailed scenes containing more than 620 people and 737 animals. It includes the death of King Harold and an early depiction of Halley's comet.
"It's the first time in 1,000 years that such an important piece of British — French too — history is going to be on these shores," said Cullinan.
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Organizers expect approximately 7.5 million visitors to view the artifact before it returns to France.
Political Significance and Cultural Ties
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the curators, restorers, and engineers involved in the delicate transfer process in an article published Friday in Britain's The Times newspaper.
