- Andy Burnham has officially taken office as the United Kingdom’s new prime minister after being invited by King Charles III to form a government at Buckingham Palace.
- The former Greater Manchester mayor succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, who stepped down after delivering an emotional farewell and pledging his full support for his successor.
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.
