Andy Burnham Formally Appointed UK Prime Minister by King Charles at Buckingham Palace

Andy Burnham was formally appointed as the United Kingdom's 59th Prime Minister on Monday after King Charles III invited him to form a government during a private audience at Buckingham Palace, completing the transfer of power from Keir Starmer. Burnham makes history as Britain's first openly Catholic prime minister and the seventh UK leader since the 2016 Brexit referendum, reflecting a decade of political turbulence.

The transition began with Starmer travelling from 10 Downing Street to Buckingham Palace to formally resign. Burnham then met the King, who asked him to form a government in the traditional constitutional ceremony known as "kissing hands," though no actual hand kissing takes place.

In an official statement, Buckingham Palace said: "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."

After returning to Downing Street, Burnham acknowledged Britain's frequent leadership changes, saying he was "acutely aware" of the country's political instability. Promising "a new path for Britain," he pledged to "rewire Britain" by shifting power from Westminster to towns, cities and regions, improving living standards, rebuilding public trust and making politics "less toxic." He also announced a nationwide summer listening tour before unveiling his long term programme for government.

Burnham became Labour leader on Friday after receiving nominations from 379 of Labour's 403 MPs, following Starmer's resignation amid falling poll ratings, internal party pressure and political setbacks. He was the sole candidate in the leadership race.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester, known as the "King of the North," said Labour would not copy Reform UK but would instead win back voters through practical policies and regional investment. One of his first priorities will be appointing a new Cabinet, with changes expected in key portfolios including the Treasury, Foreign Office and Home Office.

Burnham's appointment is historically significant because he is the first British prime minister to identify as Catholic, ending centuries of precedent rooted in the 16th century Reformation. Born into a working class Catholic family, he entered Parliament in 2001, served under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, later became Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, and returned to Westminster last month by winning the Makerfield by-election.

He inherits major challenges including weak economic growth, the cost of living crisis, overstretched public services and growing support for Reform UK and the Green Party. Burnham has said he will broadly continue Labour's 2024 election manifesto and does not need an immediate general election because Labour retains its Commons majority, although one must be held by August 2029.

In his farewell remarks, Starmer defended his government's record on Ukraine, workers' rights, child poverty, defence spending and public accountability, saying he was "proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it." Burnham now begins the task of delivering the stability and economic renewal he has promised.