Those Brits and their traditions…
Yesterday was an important day in the United Kingdom. After endless political squabbles, elections were held yesterday, in which the governing Conservatives suffered a heavy defeat. And that means that King Charles has welcomed more than three Prime Ministers in less than two years on the throne. And that comes with a remarkable tradition.
Number three
The photos of Queen Elizabeth welcoming Liz Truss to Balmoral as the sixteenth Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during her reign have become iconic in retrospect. Just two days before Elizabeth died, she dutifully shook hands with the newly minted prime minister – eager and cheerful, but with a walking stick in her hand.
In the meantime, less than two years have passed and Charles has already welcomed the third Prime Minister of his short reign. After Liz Truss (who lasted fifty days), Rishi Sunak followed (less than two years), and today it is the turn of number three: Keir Starmer. After his Labour Party achieved a huge election victory yesterday, former opposition leader Starmer was welcomed by the monarch today. Buckingham Palace shared a photo of the moment via Instagram:
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Hand kiss
Of course, such an official occasion is accompanied by the necessary traditions. For example, outgoing Prime Minister Sunak offered his official resignation to the King today, and after his departure Starmer arrived as his successor for an audience with the King. Here, according to the protocols, Charles asks whether Starmer wants to form a government in Charles’ name, and Starmer of course accepts this. A small formality, but nevertheless very important.
However, the Court Circular, the public agenda of the British royal family, contains a special agenda item for the meeting between Charles and Starmer. Namely, there is talk of a kiss on the hand. Royalty site Royal Central has delved into the archives and quotes the official announcement that took place at the time of Boris Johnson’s introduction in 2019.
“Mr Johnson accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed her hands on his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” Buckingham Palace said at the time.
Modern times
Although we know that the British and their traditions are almost inseparable, a ‘real’ kiss on the hand is no longer part of it these days. In the past, however, it was: political leaders were expected to swear their loyalty to the monarch and the Crown in this way.
Instead of a hand kiss, nowadays people ‘just’ work with a bow or a nod. Almost as traditional.
Source: Royal Central | Image: NL Image
