Sir Keir Starmer has formally tendered his resignation as Prime Minister during a meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
The outgoing PM arrived at the palace’s main quadrangle alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, entering through the luggage door owing to ongoing renovation works elsewhere in the building.
Rather than the usual setting for such occasions, the pair were directed to the Chinese dining room.
This was an unconventional choice of venue, though the ceremony itself adhered to longstanding constitutional tradition.
The occasion represents a significant moment for the constitutional monarchy, marking the formal end of Starmer’s premiership through the established process of a private royal audience.
During the private audience, the two men sat beside one another for a conversation that included an opportunity to look back on Starmer’s time in office. Official photographs of the meeting were then released.
The Prime Minister’s two children were also present at the palace, joining Lady Victoria for their own audience with the King.
Buckingham Palace released a short statement this afternoon, confirming Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation had been accepted.
A Palace spokesperson said: “Sir Keir Starmer MP had an audience of The King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.
“Lady Starmer was also received by The King.”
Sir Keir arrived at Buckingham Palace at 11.24am and left 30 minutes later.
Andy Burnham then met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace, where the monarch asked him to form a government as Britain’s new Prime Minister.
His arrival followed shortly after Keir Starmer’s departure from the Palace, having formally stepped down from the role.
Mr Burnham’s Dutch-born wife, Marie-France van Heel, who has worked in marketing and strategy for many years and was once a contestant on Cilla Black’s show Blind Date, accompanied him to Buckingham Palace.
In keeping with tradition, the outgoing PM left through a private exit, accompanied by his wife Lady Victoria.
The King had travelled from his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire to oversee the transition of power at the Palace this morning.
