King Charles's General Election role explained as Keir Starmer set to become new PM
As head of state, it is the King's duty to appoint the Prime Minister who leads His Majesty's Government.
A well-versed process sees senior civil servants guide a newly-elected Prime Minister through to office during their first 72 hours in power. However, before that can happen, Britain’s new premier will be appointed by the Monarch.
King Charles will receive in Audience the new Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace once the results are in and request him to form a new Administration.
The King plays an important constitutional role in appointing a new Prime Minister. As head of state, it is the King’s duty to appoint the Prime Minister who leads His Majesty’s Government.
The Royal Encyclopedia states that the appointment of a Prime Minister is “one of the few remaining personal prerogatives of the sovereign”.
It outlines that the monarch does not act on advice nor need to consult anyone before calling upon the leader with an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons to form a government.
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But the King is guided by constitutional conventions. He can seek advice from the outgoing Prime Minister, any other political leader, senior Privy Counsellors, or whomever he wishes within the limits of prudence and caution.
If he were to lose the public vote, Rishi Sunak’s last duty is expected to be to tell the Monarch which person has enough support to form the next government.
The King is a constitutional Monarch who remains politically neutral. When an incoming prime minister is called to see him, the King will ask them whether they will form a government. The usual response is to accept.
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After the new Prime Minister has been appointed, the Court Circular will record that “the Prime Minister kissed hands-on appointment”. However, this is usually a handshake at this stage. The kissing of hands will take place later at the Privy Council.
Once the new Prime Minister has been appointed, he will return to Downing Street to make a speech outside No.10 Downing Street. The new leader will then undertake the 72-hour induction process in the hands of senior civil servants.
