Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s new prime minister after King Charles III invited him to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The 56-year-old Labour politician assumed office following the traditional audience with the monarch, a centuries-old constitutional process known as “kissing hands.” Despite its name, the ceremony no longer involves physically kissing the monarch’s hand and instead consists of a private meeting in which the King formally asks the incoming leader to form a government.
Burnham, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, returned to national politics after winning a parliamentary by-election last month. His appointment makes him the UK’s seventh prime minister in just 10 years.
He succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party won a landslide general election two years ago before facing a decline in public support. In his farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer reflected on his time in office.
“My work here is done.”
He added:
“I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything we have achieved.”
Starmer also wished Burnham well, saying:
“I wish him every success; he has my full support.”
The outgoing prime minister later travelled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation before Burnham met King Charles to officially take office.
