Andy Burnham officially becomes UK prime minister PHOTO/UPDATED

Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom’s prime minister after accepting an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The King received Burnham at Buckingham Palace and formally asked him to form a new administration. Burnham accepted the invitation and was appointed prime minister and First Lord of the Treasury, Sky News reports. 

In a 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. Ms Marie-France van Heel was also received by His Majesty."

Burnham, 56, is expected to address the public from Downing Street shortly after arriving at the prime minister’s official residence. He is the third prime minister appointed by King Charles III since the monarch ascended to the throne in September 2022.

15:07

Keir Starmer has formally resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following a meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "Sir Keir Starmer MP had an audience of the King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.

"Lady Starmer was also received by The King."

The King is expected to receive incoming prime minister Andy Burnham shortly and invite him to form a government.

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Andy Burnham is set to become the United Kingdom’s new prime minister on July 20, succeeding Keir Starmer after a rapid leadership transition within the governing Labour Party.

The 56-year-old former mayor of Greater Manchester is expected to be invited by King Charles III to form a government after Starmer formally tenders his resignation at Buckingham Palace. Burnham will become the seventh British prime minister in the past decade and the fifth in the last four years, highlighting a prolonged period of political turnover in the country, British media reports.

Burnham’s appointment follows a turbulent 10 weeks for Labour after the party suffered heavy losses in local elections in England and parliamentary votes in Scotland and Wales in May. Although Starmer had repeatedly insisted he would remain in office, he announced his resignation on June 22 after losing the confidence of Labour lawmakers and cabinet colleagues. His departure also came amid declining public support, with opinion polls placing his approval rating at around 18%.

Burnham, who returned to Parliament only weeks ago, was elected Labour leader unopposed on July 17 after securing the nominations of 379 of the party’s 403 MPs, as well as the backing of all affiliated trade unions.

Speaking after his election as Labour leader, Burnham pledged to deliver “the most significant political changes in the last 40 years.”

His proposed domestic agenda includes abandoning plans for a mandatory government-issued digital identity system, supporting new oil and gas extraction in the North Sea, bringing water and energy companies under public ownership, and expanding the construction of municipally owned housing. Analysts, however, note that he has yet to present a detailed foreign and defence policy agenda.

Before leaving Downing Street, Starmer addressed supporters, saying he was on his way to Buckingham Palace to submit his resignation.

"My work is done," he said.

As he prepared to hand over power, Starmer added: "I wish him every success, he has my full support."

The outgoing prime minister also thanked his family, Labour colleagues, civil servants, and the British public.

"Politics will always be a team sport," he said. "And I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve."

By Sabina Mammadli