Andy Burnham Becomes UK Prime Minister After King Charles III's Appointment

Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after being invited by King Charles III to form a new government following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.

Burnham, the newly elected leader of the governing Labour Party, was formally appointed during an audience with the King at Buckingham Palace on Monday, becoming Britain's 59th prime minister and the country's seventh leader in just over a decade.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed the appointment, saying King Charles III had asked Burnham to form a new administration.

"His Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new Administration. The Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."

The phrase "kissed hands" is a centuries-old constitutional expression used to signify a formal appointment and does not involve any literal kissing.

Burnham's appointment came shortly after Starmer formally tendered his resignation to the King, ending his brief tenure as prime minister following mounting pressure within the Labour Party and declining public support.

In a farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street before leaving office, Starmer described serving as prime minister as "the privilege of my life" and said he departed "with good grace" and "a smile," adding that his "work is done."

Burnham, who until recently served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, emerged as Labour leader during a special party conference after Starmer stepped down. Widely known as the "King of the North" for his political influence in northern England, Burnham has long been regarded as one of Labour's most prominent figures.

He is expected to deliver his first address as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street after returning from Buckingham Palace, where he was formally commissioned by the King to lead the government.

His immediate priorities are expected to include rebuilding public confidence in the Labour government, stabilising the party following weeks of political turmoil and outlining his administration's policy agenda.

Burnham's appointment marks another chapter in a period of unprecedented political turnover in Britain, with the country now having had seven prime ministers in the space of a decade.