Asantehene receives British Museum director to discuss return of Asante artefacts
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, received British Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan and Head of his Office Horatio Lovering at the Manhyia Palace on November 4, 2026, to discuss the return of Asante artefacts.
Key points
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II received British Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan at Manhyia Palace to discuss Asante artefacts.
“Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, received the Director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, and the Head of his Office, Horatio Lovering, at the Manhyia Palace on November 4, 2026.”
The meeting brings the British Museum's leadership directly to the Asante king's seat of power, signalling active engagement on the long-running dispute over Asante objects held in London. It is a diplomatic step rather than a confirmed agreement on any return.
The meeting took place at the Manhyia Palace on November 4, 2026, with the British Museum's Director and Head of Office attending.
“...received the Director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, and the Head of his Office, Horatio Lovering, at the Manhyia Palace on November 4, 2026.”
Confirming the date and venue anchors the report in a verifiable event. The attendance of the museum's director and office head indicates the institution treated the talks as high-level.
The source material names Nicholas Cullinan as the only lead British Museum official with a full title.
“The source material does not name a single lead official with a full title from the British Museum side beyond Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum.”
Cullinan is the principal museum figure identified in the report, so readers can treat him as the key counterpart in the discussions. The report gives no further detail on his position in the talks.
Notable people & entities
Received the British Museum delegation at the Manhyia Palace on November 4, 2026, hosting talks on the return of Asante artefacts.
Led the British Museum delegation to Manhyia Palace to discuss the return of Asante artefacts held by the museum.
Accompanied Director Nicholas Cullinan on the visit to the Asantehene at Manhyia Palace.
Venue where the Asantehene received the British Museum delegation on November 4, 2026.
Holds Asante artefacts under discussion for return, and its director and office head travelled to Kumasi for the meeting.