Queen Elizabeth to see in new UK chief in Scotland for first time

Queen Elizabeth II will appoint Britain’s new prime minister at her Balmoral Castle residence in Scotland, somewhat than at Buckingham Palace in London.

Queen Elizabeth II attends an armed forces act of loyalty parade within the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, on June 28, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II will stay in Scotland, the place she is taking her summer time break, to obtain Britain’s outgoing Prime Minster Boris Johnson and his successor subsequent week, Buckingham Palace officers stated Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSQueen Elizabeth will appoint new UK PM at Balmoral Castle residence in ScotlandThis would be the first time in her 70-year reign the monarch appoints a brand new PM away from Buckingham PalaceOfficials stated Johnson will journey to Balmoral Castle to formally tender his resignation on Tuesday

In a primary, Queen Elizabeth II will stay in Scotland, the place she is taking her summer time break, to obtain Britain’s outgoing Prime Minster Boris Johnson and his successor subsequent week, royal officers stated Wednesday.

The 96-year-old monarch historically holds audiences with outgoing and incoming prime ministers at Buckingham Palace, her official London residence. This would be the first time in her 70-year reign the monarch appoints a brand new prime minister away from Buckingham Palace.

Officials stated Johnson will journey to Balmoral Castle, the queen’s summer time vacation dwelling within the Scottish Highlands, to formally tender his resignation on Tuesday. His alternative — both Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, the 2 finalists within the Conservative Party management race — will even make the journey on the identical day and be requested by the queen to type a brand new authorities.

The queen, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this yr, has been having mobility issues and has cancelled some engagements in latest months. She now usually makes use of a strolling stick.

Palace officers didn’t clarify the brand new association, however British media reported that the choice to have her stay in Scotland was made to offer certainty for the political handover.

Asked in regards to the announcement, Johnson instructed reporters Wednesday: “I don’t talk about my conversations with the queen, no prime minister ever does. But I can tell you that we will certainly make sure that the arrangements for the handover will fit totally around her and whatever she wants.”

The queen has been served by 14 prime ministers throughout her reign, from Winston Churchill within the Nineteen Fifties to Johnson. Formally appointing the premier is a part of her duties as head of state.

The monarch moved to Windsor Castle, west of London, initially of the coronavirus pandemic and now spends most of her time there.

Johnson introduced his resignation in early July after mounting ethics scandals toppled his authorities. He has remained in place as caretaker prime minister till his Conservative Party declares his successor on Monday.

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