Inside Buckingham Palace's Private Audience Room where Keir Starmer 'kissed the hands' of King Charles before officially becoming the PM
Although Sir Keir Starmer stormed to victory in the General Election which saw one of Labour's largest ever majorities, he still had to run his new government by King Charles first.
As is convention, the leader of the winning party must travel to Buckingham Palace, where the monarch invites him or her to form a new government.
The incoming prime minister will then 'kiss the hands' of the monarch, which confirms their role as leader of the country in an official tradition.
A statement released by Buckingham Palace this afternoon read: 'The King received in Audience The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration.
'Sir Keir accepted His Majesty's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with King Charles today in the private Audience Room in Buckingham Palace where he is officially invited to form the next government after Labour's landslide victory in the General Election
The prime minister and the King sit in the private audience room, where the monarch tends to hold private meetings, as Sir Keir takes to government
Today, King Charles welcomed the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer into the Audience Room at Buckingham Palace - a lavishly decorated mint green drawing room where the monarch typically hosts private meetings.
While he has kept many of his late mother's features and decorations in the room, Charles has also put his own spin on aspects of the grand space within the royal residence.
Here is FEMAIL's guide to King Charles's intimate meeting space, where only the most exclusive guests are lucky enough to set foot...
The Queen held her weekly audience with Prime Minster Boris Johnson at Buckingham Palace today for the first time in 18-months.
1. English gilt mirror
Above the porcelain birds is an English gilt mirror, believed to be valued upwards of £30,000. Reflected in the mirror is another mirror on a different wall within the room.
2. Clock
In front of the mirror is a white marble and gilt bronze clock, valued at at least £4,000.
3. French rug from the 17th century
The patterned carpet in the private Audience Room is brown with gold borders and covers much of the space on the floor.
4. Photo of royal cousins - possibly King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
The King features many photos of royal cousins on his side table; but this official portrait is tricky to identify. It appears to be King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Charles appears to favour snaps of more distant relatives in the room in a break from his late mother's preference; which featured portraits of closer relatives.
For example, she displayed engagement photos of both Harry and Meghan and Kate and William on the side during her reign; as well as photos of King Charles and Princess Anne.
5. Photo of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
As one of many photos on King Charles's drawing table, the snap of the Dutch King and Queen takes pride of place.
The Dutch King Willem-Alexander is King Charles's sixth cousin. He is a descendent of Princess Carolina, while King Charles' lineage also dates back to Princess Carolina through his great-grandmother Queen Mary.
6. Photo of Queen Margrethe
Another of the photos of the foreign royals on display in King Charles's private audience room is Queen Margrethe of Denmark.
The former queen, now 84, abdicated in a shock announcement on new year's eve of 2023. She was succeeded by her son, King Frederik X.
7. 18th Century art
On the wall behind the King and Prime Minster is a painting by Canaletto that is dated circa 1750-51.
The piece, titled The Thames from Somerset House Terrace towards the City, is part of a pairing created by the Italian artist during his time in London.
It recently replaced another painting by the same artist, which hung in the room for years, and is believe to be worth upwards of £2million.
8. Flowers
The King's fondness for flowers is clear; as he has chosen to fill his desk with bouquets in official photos since he ascended the throne.
In this particular bunch, he has opted for orang lilies, what appear to be blue stocks, eucalyptus and hydrangeas.
