France, July 20 -- Burnham became the UK's new prime minister on Monday after King Charles III formally asked him to form a government at Buckingham Palace.

The ceremony - known as "kissing hands" - marks the formal transfer of power.

Although the monarch officially appoints the prime minister, the role is ceremonial.

The transfer of power came after Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday.

Under the UK's parliamentary system, a governing party can change its leader, and therefore its prime minister, without holding a general election.

Burnham, 56, is Britain's seventh prime minister since 2016.

"This is a moment for reflection and new resolution," Burnham said outside 10 Downing Street after ...