Why does a new Prime Minister have to meet King Charles and what do they talk about?
ON Thursday, July 4 Brits will head to the polls to vote in the General Election.
But before the winning party leader can deliver on their manifesto, they must first speak to the King. But why does this long-standing tradition exist?
Why does a Prime Minister have to meet King Charles?
In the UK, we have a constitutional monarchy.
This means that although the King is Head of State, the Prime Minister is the head of Government.
As the King himself has no power in government, the Prime Minister makes decisions in the King’s name.
In order for this to take place, one of King Charles’ responsibilities as Head of State is to appoint the leader of the winning party as Prime Minister.
How often will the elected Prime Minister and King Charles meet?
The late Queen Elizabeth II set the precedent of meeting every Wednesday, whilst parliament is in session.
The first of these meetings will take place on the Prime Minister’s very first day in the role.
What happens during the Prime Minister and the King’s weekly meeting?
The weekly meetings between the Monarch and the Prime Minister are not recorded, leaving them to talk in private.
The Prime Minister keeps the Monarch informed of the government’s decisions on policy.
The Monarch never publicly gives a political opinion, but may offer the PM impartial advice.
Some Prime Ministers, such as Harold Wilson and John Major , enjoyed a close relationship with the Monarch.
Wilson was often invited to informal picnics with the Royal family, and even stayed to clear up after the late Prince Philip’s famous barbeques.
According to The Sunday Post meetings with the Queen would exceed the usual two-hour appointment.
Major took on the role as PM and commerade.
He supported the Monarch through her annus horribilis in 1992.
This was the year the King divorced Princess Diana, the year of the Windsor Castle fire and Prince Andrew’s marital separation from Sarah Ferguson.
However, not all Prime Ministers enjoy this close relationship.
Margaret Thatcher had a frostier relationship with the late Queen.
Tatler reported that Thatcher dreaded visits to Balmoral Castle and had insecurities about her working class background.
What do the first 72 hours as Prime Minister look like?
After making their victory speech on the steps of No.10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister will be ushered inside to an applause from the staff.
Work will begin almost immediately, as they will write to the commanders of the UK’s four nuclear submarines that maintain the nuclear deterrent.
For the next two days, the Prime Minister will appoint cabinet ministers, usually in person, and speak to world leaders on the phone.
Amongst all of this work, the PM must settle into their new life as a resident of No.10 Downing Street.
From their first day in office, talks will take place on how their family life will fit into their new job as the leader of the UK Government.