He may only be just six weeks into his reign - but already King Charles is set to welcome his second Prime Minister next week.
Today, Liz Truss resigned after just 44 days in No 10 - m aking her Britain's shortest-serving Prime Minister ever - after weeks of turmoil in Downing Street. The King himself is just 42 days into his reign since the death of his mother the Queen - meaning he and Ms Truss had very few audiences together - something that the monarch and PM carry out once a week. In fact, the pair's first weekly audience took place just seven days ago at Buckingham Palace - although it was the third time they had met following the late monarch's passing.
And it seems it will always be remembered for the King's stinging comment to Ms Truss, who was under intense political pressure at the time.
As she was escorted into the room where she was to have the audience with Charles, the former Tory leader could be seen carrying out an awkward curtsey, before shaking hands with him.
And he remarked: "Back again? Dear oh dear."
In her statement outside Downing Street this lunchtime Ms Truss said she had spoken to the King to notify him she was resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.
Charles held his first in-person audience with Ms Truss at Buckingham Palace on September 9 – the day after the death of his mother.
Ms Truss shared her condolences with the new King, saying: “Your Majesty, my very greatest sympathies.”
Charles replied: “You are very kind. It was the moment I have been dreading, as I know a lot of people have. We’ll try keep everything going. Come, come have a seat.”
A day later, Ms Truss took part in the historic Accession Council where Charles was formally proclaimed King.
The same day, the King also held an audience with Ms Truss and members of her Cabinet at the Palace.
On September 18, the day before the Queen’s funeral, Charles held another audience with her.
He was shown smiling broadly and greeting the Tory leader with his arms wide open.
On October 2, The Sunday Times reported that Ms Truss had objected to the King attending the Cop27 gathering in Egypt in November.
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It is understood however that Charles – who as the Prince of Wales was a passionate campaigner on climate change – sought advice from the Government and it was agreed that this would not be the right occasion for him to make his first overseas visit as sovereign.
The new PM will be the first the King has asked to form a government in his new role as monarch. Fifteen prime ministers spanned the late Queen’s 70-year reign.
Winston Churchill – with whom she had a close friendship – was her first, and Ms Truss her last. In 1955, Sir Anthony Eden was the first to be asked by the Queen to form a government when she had been head of state for three years. Churchill was already in power when she became monarch.
Her 15 prime ministers were Winston Churchill 1951-55, Sir Anthony Eden 1955-57, Harold Macmillan 1957-63, Sir Alec Douglas-Home 1963-64, Harold Wilson 1964-70 and 1974-76, Edward Heath 1970-74, James Callaghan 1976-79, Margaret Thatcher 1979-90, John Major 1990-97, Tony Blair 1997-2007, Gordon Brown 2007-2010, David Cameron 2010-2016, Theresa May 2016-2019, Boris Johnson 2019 to 2022, and Liz Truss 2022.
