Andy Burnham met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace this afternoon, where the monarch asked him to form a government as Britain’s new Prime Minister.
Mr Burnham’s arrival followed shortly after Keir Starmer’s departure from the Palace, having formally stepped down from the role.
In keeping with tradition, the outgoing Prime Minister 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.
Both the departing and arriving Prime Ministers entered the Palace through the so-called “luggage door” which is a side entrance located in the quadrangle.
The main doors are currently in use for the building’s summer public tours.
Upon arrival, they were received by Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s private secretary, alongside his equerry Major Ben Rigby.
Keir arrived at Buckingham Palace at 11.24am and left 30 minutes later.
During the private audience, the King and Sir Keir sat beside one another for a conversation that included an opportunity to look back on Starmer’s time in office.
Sir Clive Alderton greeted the Andy Burnham with the words “welcome back”, adding: “let’s go and see the King.”
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.
The audiences took place in the Chinese Dining Room, which is serving as the venue for such occasions while renovation work continues elsewhere in the Palace.
The Chinese Dining Room takes its name from furnishings originally housed in Brighton Pavilion, which was filled with Oriental-style pieces.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the resignation in an official statement: “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.”
Queen Victoria sold the Pavilion to the local corporation in 1850, retaining select furniture and using the proceeds to construct Buckingham Palace’s east wing.
