LONDON (AP) — The Labour Party Winning the UK general electionThis brings to power the first time in 14 years a new party has taken power, but Labour leader Keir Starmer will not actually become prime minister until Friday when King Charles III formally asks him to form a new government in a carefully orchestrated ceremony.
That is, at least technically, Sovereignty In Britain, even centuries after actual political power was transferred to Parliament, royal authority still derives from the king’s authority.
of The process is quickIt’s a bit cruel to force a prime minister out of office, but Rishi SunakThe ritual progression is as follows:
History meets the modern world
Although the UK is a constitutional monarchy in which the power of the monarch is strictly limited by law and tradition, much of what is happening here harkens back to the past – in this case, the process harkens back to a time when the monarch wielded supreme power and chose the highest-ranking minister, a prime minister, to run the government.
Although the prime minister is currently leader of the party that holds the majority in the House of Commons, technically the prime minister must still be offered the position by the monarch, said Anna Whitelock, professor of monarchy history at London’s City University.
“It reflects our country’s historical past and it reflects the fact that we are a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy, and the prime minister and the monarch work closely together,” she said. “They both have important roles in the constitution, and the day the prime minister officially takes office, we see the constitution come into force.”
What happens at the palace?
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First, Mr Sunak will go to Buckingham Palace to announce his resignation to the King. Starmer Arrives for her first audience with Charles.
“There is a very brief period between the outgoing prime minister and the formal appointment of a new prime minister when technically the monarch holds power for a few minutes,” Whitelock said, “so there is a brief moment when, effectively, from a parliamentary democracy point of view, there is a kind of vacuum. … But then, of course, there comes a moment immediately afterwards when a new prime minister is appointed.”
This occurs when the prime minister-to-be enters the palace for a ceremony known as the “kiss of hands”, although no kiss actually takes place. After the King asks Starmer to form a government, he bows his head and shakes hands with Prince Charles. Photographs are taken to record the moment of the handover of power.
What is said between the king and the prime minister is not recorded, but drama will be swirling outside the palace gates. News helicopters will follow Mr Starmer and Mr Sunak’s cars to the palace and back, with commentators typically breathlessly recording their proceedings and speculating about what is being said behind closed doors.
Traditionally, the new prime minister leaves Downing Street in a prime ministerial car, returns to Downing Street to make a statement and enters through Number 10’s famous black doors to begin the business of government, to a round of applause from staff.
What about Mr Sunak?
In Britain, voters’ verdict will be made soon.
Following his crushing election defeat, Mr Sunak will likely be forced to leave Downing Street before Mr Starmer arrives just hours later.
The soon-to-be former prime minister will travel to the palace in a chauffeur-driven ministerial car and then leave in his own car to return to his private residence after submitting his resignation.
The transition is so rapid that the outgoing leader’s van is usually parked near the back entrance of Downing Street as the new leader takes his bow at the front door.
Why are rituals important?
The entire royal choreography at least suggests that the monarchy remains a symbol of stability and continuity at a time when deep social divisions are fueling fierce political debate. Above the political fray, the king is still running the show, albeit ceremonially, and will continue to do so after this prime minister is gone.
“Everyone will say, ‘Well, this is all just a ceremonial piece,’ but it’s a really important part of the fact that there can be a change of government in the UK and there won’t be riots,” said George Gross, a royal expert at King’s College London. “I probably didn’t need to say this before, but in the context of the current political world and geopolitics, I think this is a really healthy thing.”
Queen Elizabeth has served 15 prime ministers during her 70-year reign, and Prince Charles, who has been on the throne for less than two years, is currently in his second prime minister position.
“This is the pinnacle of power,” Gross said. “At the end of the day, the monarchy is about continuity and prime ministers come and go.”
What happens next?
The King meets with the Prime Minister weekly to discuss government issues. The King is politically neutral but has the right to “advise or warn” the Prime Minister if he deems it necessary. These meetings are not public and any matters discussed are kept confidential.
The king is due to return to public view later this month for the next major royal event, the opening of Parliament.
Traditionally, the monarch arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, sits on the Royal Throne in the House of Lords, and wears the Imperial Crown.
He will then deliver a speech before a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives outlining the legislative program the new administration has written for him.
It’s a spectacular moment, to be sure, but it also epitomizes the role of the monarchy in modern Britain.
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Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shaffner in New York contributed to this report.
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