Andy Burnham has officially become Prime Minister (PM) of the United Kingdom (UK) after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and accepting an invitation to form a new government.
Burnham's appointment follows the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester was appointed through the traditional constitutional process on Monday, becoming the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade, a run of turnover that has continued since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016.
Starmer travelled to Buckingham Palace earlier in the day to formally tender his resignation to the King, telling supporters outside Downing Street beforehand that he was "here to offer my resignation and close the book" on his time in office.
Of his successor, he said: "I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support."
Burnham made the same journey to the palace shortly afterwards, where the King asked him to form a government.
He then travelled to Downing Street to deliver his first address as prime minister, telling those gathered that Britain must show "that we can regain our stability."
He described his appointment as "a circuit-breaker" for the country and pledged to deliver a new political and economic model along with a ten-year plan.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the appointment in a statement, saying: "His Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new administration.
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"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."
Van Heel is Burnham's wife of more than 25 years.
Burnham's rise to the premiership follows a Labour Party leadership transition.
Starmer announced in June that he would step down, after mounting dissatisfaction over the economy and the pace of progress on immigration, and Burnham was confirmed as the new party leader on 17 July.
The new prime minister is now expected to turn to forming his cabinet, with priorities said to include economic growth, improving public services, tackling homelessness and addressing the cost of living.
He sought to rebuild public confidence and deliver what he has described as practical solutions for ordinary citizens.
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