LONDON, June 22: The United Kingdom (UK) monarch plays an important constitutional role in the appointment of a new prime minister. It is one of the few remaining personal prerogatives of the sovereign.
The monarch does not act on ministerial advice, nor is he required to consult anyone before inviting a politician to form a government.
But he must appoint someone who can command the confidence of the House of Commons, which usually means the leader of the party holding an overall majority of seats in the Commons.
The monarch is, however, guided by constitutional conventions and may seek advice from the outgoing prime minister, other political leaders, senior Privy Counsellors, or whomever he chooses, within the bounds of prudence and caution.
Keir Starmer has informed King Charles III of his decision to resign as leader of the Labour Party and as prime minister.
However, he must still meet the king in person to formally tender his resignation during an audience, as tradition dictates.
This will take place immediately before the monarch asks Starmer’s successor – once they have been selected as Labour leader – to form a government in person.
The most usual response is acceptance, and Charles will welcome the fourth prime minister of his reign – after Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Starmer.
The Court Circular – the daily record of official royal engagements – will note that the new prime minister kissed hands on appointment. In reality, however, it will be a handshake.
An incoming male prime minister will also usually bow, while a female prime minister will curtsy, should they choose to do so.
Tony Blair recalled in his autobiography how, just before his audience following his landslide election victory in 1997, a tall official carrying a stick told him: “You don’t actually kiss the Queen’s hands in the ceremony of kissing hands. You brush them gently with your lips.”
In the end, he recounted how he tripped on a piece of carpet and “practically fell upon the Queen’s hands, not so much brushing as enveloping them”, with the monarch remarking that he seemed “enthusiastic”.
More than a decade later, in 2010, incoming prime minister David Cameron took the late Queen’s hand but did not kiss it or kneel before being asked whether he could form a government.
The actual kissing of hands now usually takes place later at a Privy Council meeting, for new Privy Counsellors and when the new prime minister swears or affirms an oath as First Lord of the Treasury.
A prime minister holds a private weekly audience with the monarch each Wednesday to discuss government matters following Prime Minister’s Questions, with the conversation usually taking place face to face.
Although the King must remain politically neutral on all matters, he can advise and warn his ministers – including his prime minister – when necessary.
— BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa