Keir Starmer is set to become the third prime minister during King Charles III's reign, following the recent resignations of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. As head of state, one of King Charles's key constitutional duties is appointing new prime ministers, alongside other responsibilities such as the State Opening of Parliament and signing parliamentary bills into law.
Following Sunak's resignation, he will visit Buckingham Palace for a final audience with the monarch, a tradition that involves bidding farewell and expressing gratitude to the reigning sovereign. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown shared insights from his own experience, noting that his last meeting with Queen Elizabeth II was cordial and relaxed, with a parting gift of an inscribed photograph.
Subsequently, Keir Starmer will partake in the traditional ceremony known as 'the kissing of hands,' symbolizing loyalty to the monarch, although the actual act of kissing is now considered outdated. Starmer will then be formally invited to form a government in the name of the monarch.
The transition process is expected to be swift, lasting approximately half an hour, after which Starmer will deliver his first address to the nation from outside Downing Street. This sequence of events marks a significant moment in the political landscape of the United Kingdom, as a new leader prepares to take the helm under the reign of King Charles III.
