Queen smiles broadly as Theresa May curtseys at the first meeting of Britain’s most powerful women
Her Majesty welcomed her 13th PM with genuine warmth and a beaming smile
A BEAMING smile lights up the Queen’s face as the two most powerful women in Britain seal their new partnership.
While Her Maj has seen it all before — Theresa May is the 13th PM she has welcomed into office — the monarch managed genuine warmth amid the formalities yesterday.
It may be a sign she believes her relationship with Britain’s second woman Prime Minister will be far better than her famously icy one with the first, Margaret Thatcher.
Outgoing PM David Cameron and his family had only left the Queen’s private apartments at Buckingham Palace a few minutes before Mrs May arrived.
Following age-old protocol, Mr Cameron had tendered his resignation and advised Her Majesty to invite Mrs May to form a new administration.
Then, in a more relaxed atmosphere, he introduced wife Samantha and their children Nancy, 12, Elwen, ten, and Florence, five.
After that, the Queen’s equerry, Wing Commander Sam Fletcher, bade the family a formal farewell.
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The same equerry then ushered Mrs May into the most important audience of her life.
It was just after 5.25pm. Wearing her trademark leopard-print shoes, Mrs May showed all the due reverence as a photograph captured their meeting.
Then the pair headed behind closed doors for the first of many private audiences.
The Palace duly confirmed her appointment in a statement reading: “The Queen received in audience the Right Honourable Theresa May MP this evening and requested her to form a new administration.
“The Right Honourable Theresa May accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.’’
It is unlikely kissing of hands took place — it was more likely to have been a symbolic shake.
Whatever the case, the Queen appeared to be in a particularly happy mood.
After chatting alone, the two women were joined by Mrs May’s husband Philip, something else the pair have in common.
Just over half an hour later the meeting was over.
It was time for Mr and Mrs May to head to their new home at Downing Street and for Mrs May to begin running the country — with Her Majesty’s blessing.
That blessing has been easier for the Queen to give to some Prime Ministers than others.