Rishi Sunak's first day as prime minister in pictures

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Following Liz Truss leaving Downing Street on Tuesday, Rishi Sunak became the new UK prime minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Image source, Henry Nicholls / Reuters

In the morning, members of Ms Truss's cabinet arrived at Downing Street for a final meeting with her as prime minister and a group photo.

Image source, Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street

Meanwhile, King Charles arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of his meeting with the outgoing prime minister and then another with Mr Sunak to invite him to form a government.

Image source, Isabel Infantes / Getty Images

The lectern was then placed outside Downing Street and Ms Truss stepped outside to address the nation for her final time as the shortest-serving British prime minister ever.

Image source, Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street
Image source, Daniel Leal / AFP

Her husband and two daughters stood by her side.

She said it had been "a huge honour" to be prime minister, especially to lead the nation in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II and welcoming the accession of King Charles.

Image source, Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

In her unapologetic farewell speech, she defended her lower-tax vision for the UK and urged her successor Mr Sunak to be "bold" in a bid to boost the economy.

Image source, Daniel Leal / AFP

Ms Truss then travelled to Buckingham Palace.

She was greeted by King Charles's equerry, Lt Col Johnny Thompson, before handing in her resignation to the monarch.

Image source, Yui Mok / PA Media

Shortly after, the new Conservative Party leader also arrived at the palace.

Image source, Yui Mok / PA Media

Mr Sunak met the King in the 1844 room - often dubbed the most important room in the Palace.

The marble and gilt room is named after the date of a visit from a Russian tsar.

Image source, Aaron Chown / PA Media

After being invited to form a government by King Charles, Mr Sunak became the UK's 57th prime minister.

He is the third prime minister this year and will enter Downing Street as the youngest PM in two centuries.

After official photographs, the meeting was then private, setting a pattern for the confidential weekly audiences that are held between the monarch and prime minister.

Image source, Aaron Chown / PA Media

Mr Sunak then returned to Downing Street and walked past No 10's cat, Larry.

Image source, Reuters

Stepping up to the lectern, Mr Sunak addressed the nation.

Image source, PA Media

He paid tribute to Ms Truss, saying she was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country, saying "it's a noble aim".

He says he admired her restlessness to create change - but "some mistakes were made".

"Not born of ill will or bad intentions, quite the opposite. But mistakes nonetheless."

Mr Sunak said he is determined to "fix the mistakes" made by his predecessor.

Image source, Henry Nicholls / Reuters

He added he was ready to lead the country "into the future and put your needs above politics", saying he would build a government that "represents the best of my party".

Image source, Daniel Leal / AFP

After his short speech, Mr Sunak posed outside the famous door and then entered 10 Downing Street.

Image source, Henry Nicholls / Reuters

The new PM was welcomed by applause from staff.

Image source, Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Image source, Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

Meanwhile, a removal van was seen outside Downing Street to assist the transition from one prime minister to the next.

Image source, Hannah McKay / Reuters

Throughout the afternoon, news broke of cabinet appointments in Mr Sunak's government, as those selected visited Downing Street.

Jeremy Hunt will remain in his post as chancellor, Prime Minister Mr Sunak confirmed.

Image source, James Veysey / Shutterstock

Soon after, Dominic Raab was appointed as deputy prime minister and justice secretary.

Image source, Leon Neal / Getty Images

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