The British Museum's highly anticipated Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has generated significant demand, with online ticket booking leading to virtual queues that stretched up to nine hours.

On the day booking opened, approximately 40,000 people were reportedly in line by midmorning, a number that nearly doubled to 80,000 by midafternoon, according to The Guardian.

This intense interest highlights the cultural significance of the tapestry's rare appearance in England.

The millennium-old embroidery, which depicts William the Conqueror's victory at Hastings in 1066, will be transported from France to the UK via the Eurotunnel.

Reports from The Telegraph and BBC indicate that the tapestry will travel in its own train car, within a specially designed receptacle to minimize vibrations, and will be accompanied by a police escort.

Upon its arrival at the British Museum, the artifact will be displayed flat in a protective glass case, a method chosen for optimal conservation, as stated by museum director Nicholas Cullinan.

Running from September through July of next year, the exhibition marks the first time the 230-foot-long work has been seen in England since the 11th century.

In exchange for the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry, several British treasures are slated to be sent to Normandy.

While peak tickets for the exhibition are priced around $44, nearly triple the cost when it was previously displayed in France, most time slots are less expensive, and admission for those under 16 is free, according to Cullinan.

Despite the lengthy waits, some individuals who endured the online queues have successfully secured tickets.

However, others reported being timed out after hours in line, preventing them from completing their purchase.

Additional tickets are expected to become available in October and January.

The Guardian also noted that some experts have expressed concerns, calling the transportation of the Bayeux Tapestry "madness."