We usually get at least a couple of years before I have to explain that “kissed hands on appointment” doesn’t actually mean there was any hand kissing involved.
This time it’s been just seven weeks to the day that the Queen waited in the warm at Balmoral, ready to carry out what would be her last important constitutional duty, overseeing the handover of power from one prime minister to the next.
And now we have this remarkable sight: after only 47 days as monarch, King Charles all smiles and shaking hands with Rishi Sunak, already appointing the second prime minister of his reign.
A new sovereign but the traditional routine. Inside the 1844 room at Buckingham Palace, the monarch first accepted the resignation of Liz Truss and then invited Rishi Sunak to form a government.
And yes the wording that he was “graciously pleased to accept” her resignation were the words we’d usually see.
The King’s first significant constitutional responsibility as head of state has been completed. It is the beginning of an important relationship for both men.
As we were reminded by past prime minister’s when the Queen died, nothing compares to the connection they have with the sovereign.
During her short time in office, Liz Truss spent quite a lot of time with the new King, with meetings in the week leading up to the funeral and travelling around the UK with him after his mother’s death.
But in such a short time there were controversies: there was an issue over the King not going to the COP27 climate change conference.
He also was also heard muttering “dear oh dear” as she arrived for their first official audience two weeks ago.
It was a headline writers’ dream, but apparently a comment made in sympathy after Ms Truss had already been to the palace once that day for a privy council meeting.
So what will the King’s relationship with Rishi Sunak be like? For a monarch who, very early on, has stressed his commitment to a diverse Britain, you can’t help but think he’ll be delighted that the start of his reign brings another historic moment with Britain’s first Hindu prime minister.
During his time as heir he made a point of fostering close relationships with the Asian community, setting up the British Asian Trust with a group of business leaders in 2007.
Rishi Sunak and his wife have attended their fundraising dinners.
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The new prime minister also spent part of a morning with the King in May this year for engagements focusing on youth employment in south London.
When you look at the pictures, there’s no doubt Prince Charles, as he was then, looked more at ease while out meeting the crowds than the-then chancellor, and that is one area where the monarch could possibly be of help.
We know the new prime minister has already struggled with the questions about his finances and his family life.
His first speech yesterday was described as a bit stiff to say the least. We obviously have a King who’s had decades of experience living and working in the public eye and having his personal life picked apart.
Does confidence coaching come under his remit of being there to “encourage, to warn and to advise”?
The Queen was described as a sounding board, a calm adviser and a font of historical knowledge to past prime ministers.
King Charles brings different experience, but his private counsel could be vital to a new prime minister embarking on the greatest challenge of his political career and facing a country that needs reassurance that he can turn things round.
Their first meeting certainly seemed to go on longer than we’d anticipated; there is plenty to talk about.
