The British Museum has found itself in a diplomatic pickle after closing early for a corporate gala attended by Princess Anne, leading to refunds for affected visitors.

On Wednesday, the museum turned away visitors midday to host a dinner with its sponsor, Samsung, to celebrate the 'Korea' exhibition. The pre-dinner reception was attended by Princess Anne, according to The Telegraph.

A museum spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, delays earlier in the day meant that some visitors were unable to enter at their allotted time. We have apologized to those affected and given a refund as well as rescheduling their ticket for free. This was an isolated situation and we appreciate visitors’ patience and understanding.' The Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, which has had unprecedented demand, remains the museum's priority.

It’s not the first time the British Museum has faced criticism for VIP treatment. In August, The Guardian reported that the museum privately hosted billionaire tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel for a VIP viewing of the tapestry. The visit was hosted by Charlotte Appleyard, the museum’s director of development, on August 18.

Despite the hiccups, the Bayeux Tapestry has been overwhelmingly popular. Earlier this week, a blind man filed a lawsuit against the museum over a lack of audio guides at the exhibition. The museum is exploring a separate audio-described tour as part of the exhibition’s app-based audio guide.