King Charles continued a royal tradition by appointing the U.K.'s new prime minister Friday.
Following the results of the July 4 election, the King officially welcomed Labour Party leader Kier Starmer into the position following his landslide victory over Rishi Sunak.
According to the U.K. Parliament, the British monarch traditionally meets with the departing prime minister before the incoming premier comes in for a private audience. For the short period between the meetings, certain executive powers are vested in the monarch.
Charles experienced this on Friday after Sunak arrived at Buckingham Palace and tended his resignation at around 10.30 a.m. local time. Starmer traveled to the Palace shortly afterward, accompanied by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
The new British leader later had a private audience with Charles. The official Court Circular will now record that Starmer kissed the King's hands "on appointment" but this is not literally the case and just signifies the monarch's position as Head of State.
Following the results of the July 4 election, the King officially welcomed Labour Party leader Kier Starmer into the position following his landslide victory over Rishi Sunak.
According to the U.K. Parliament, the British monarch traditionally meets with the departing prime minister before the incoming premier comes in for a private audience. For the short period between the meetings, certain executive powers are vested in the monarch.
Charles experienced this on Friday after Sunak arrived at Buckingham Palace and tended his resignation at around 10.30 a.m. local time. Starmer traveled to the Palace shortly afterward, accompanied by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
The new British leader later had a private audience with Charles. The official Court Circular will now record that Starmer kissed the King's hands "on appointment" but this is not literally the case and just signifies the monarch's position as Head of State.
