As Sir Keir Starmer departs Downing Street and Andy Burnham approaches Buckingham Palace, Britain sees its seventh Prime Minister in a decade take office, reports BritPanorama.
The transition, while rapid, is underpinned by centuries of constitutional tradition that dictate the formalities involved in such changes of leadership.
King Charles III plays a pivotal constitutional role during this handover, which is marked by private audiences and official royal proclamations.
Does the King ‘swear in’ a new Prime Minister?
Contrary to popular belief, King Charles III will not technically “swear in” Andy Burnham today.
In the UK’s political system, there is no public oath of office taken by the incoming Prime Minister outside No10 or in Parliament.
Rather, the official transfer of power happens during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in a long-standing process known as the “Kissing of Hands.”
Here’s how today’s transition at the Palace unfolds:
- The resignation: Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer travels to Buckingham Palace to formally submit his resignation to King Charles III.
- The audience: Moments later, incoming Labour leader Andy Burnham arrives. The King invites him to form a government due to his majority in the House of Commons.
- The handshake: Despite the traditional term “Kissing of Hands,” no hands are actually kissed today. Burnham will bow, shake the King’s hand, and accept the royal commission.
The formal legal oaths, including the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, are given separately when cabinet ministers are appointed through the Privy Council, not during the King’s audience.
Could King Charles force a new General Election?
With another leadership change today, speculation arises about whether the King could call a new General Election.
The short answer is no. According to the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, the Prime Minister holds the authority to request an early election and ask the Monarch to dissolve Parliament.
While King Charles technically holds the power to sign the official dissolution proclamation, constitutional convention dictates he must act strictly on the advice of his Prime Minister.
The Monarch maintains strict political neutrality and cannot initiate a General Election independently.
In theory, based on principles known as the Lascelles Principles, the King could refuse an election request if Parliament is functioning and another politician has enough support to govern.
However, in modern practice, if a Prime Minister requests a dissolution, the King typically complies.
Could King Charles not accept Andy Burnham as PM?
The Monarch does not select who governs Britain based on personal preference.
The essential rule of the UK constitution mandates that the King appoints whichever individual commands the confidence of the House of Commons.
For Andy Burnham to assume office today, certain constitutional criteria had to be met.
He returned to Parliament as an MP following his Makerfield by-election victory before securing the leadership of the governing Labour Party.
Burnham also has the backing of the majority of MPs in the House of Commons.
With these conditions fulfilled, King Charles has a constitutional duty to invite Burnham to form a government.
To refuse a democratically backed leader would provoke a constitutional crisis and disrupt the political neutrality of the Crown.
This transition not only signifies a change in leadership but also reflects the ongoing evolution of the UK’s constitutional monarchy in adapting to modern political realities.
