LONDON – In a carefully orchestrated political ballet, David Cameron left his job and his home at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, resigning as prime minister soon afterward at Buckingham Palace. Theresa May then became Britain’s new leader, accepting an invitation to govern from Queen Elizabeth II.
The palace confirmed in a brief, formal statement that “the Right Honorable David Cameron MP had an Audience of The Queen this evening and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.”
Soon afterward the palace released a photo of May curtseying to the monarch at the palace.
In the traditional change of government ceremony, Cameron met the queen at the palace and recommended that the monarch invite May – his successor as Conservative Party leader – to form a new government.
Cameron resigned after making a brief statement outside the prime minister’s residence, his home for more than six years.