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.

Rishi Sunak enters Downing Street as the new prime ministerImage 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.

The Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Cabinet on 25 October 2022Image 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.

King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet with British Prime Minister Liz Truss on her formal resignation on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Liz Truss leaves Downing Street for the final time as prime ministerImage source, Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street
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Liz Truss steps up to the lectern outside Downing Street on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Liz Truss gives her farewell speech as prime minister on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Liz Truss gives her farewell speech as prime minister on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss is greeted by King Charles III's equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, as she arrives at Buckingham Palace, on 25 October 2022Image source, Yui Mok / PA Media

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

Newly elected leader of the Conservative Party Rishi Sunak, is greeted by King Charles III's equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, as he arrives at Buckingham Palace, on 25 October 2022Image 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.

King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government on 25 October 2022Image 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.

King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government on 25 October 2022Image source, Aaron Chown / PA Media

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

Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walks past Larry the cat outside Downing Street, in London on 25 October 2022Image source, Reuters

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

Rishi Sunak makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting King Charles III and accepting his invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London on 25 October 2022Image 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".

Britain's newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waves as he poses outside the door to 10 Downing Street in central London, on 25 October 2022Image source, Daniel Leal / AFP

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

Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak enters Number 10 Downing Street on 25 October 2022Image source, Henry Nicholls / Reuters

The new PM was welcomed by applause from staff.

Rishi Sunak enters Downing Street as the new prime ministerImage source, Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
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Rishi Sunak enters Downing Street as the new prime ministerImage 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.

A worker loads a removal van following the appointment of Rishi Sunak as prime minister on 25 October 2022Image 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.

Jeremy Hunt outside Downing StreetImage source, James Veysey / Shutterstock

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

Dominic Raab outside Downing StreetImage source, Leon Neal / Getty Images

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