The intricate tapestry of British constitutional monarchy is once again set to showcase one of its most enduring, albeit subtly performed, traditions: the "kissing of the hands." As Sir Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign as leader of the Labour Party, initiating the process of selecting his successor, the nation braces for the potential appointment of King Charles III’s fourth Prime Minister. While the Labour Party holds the prerogative to choose their party boss, and by extension, the potential Prime Minister, the ultimate authority to formally invite them to form a government rests with His Majesty. This pivotal moment will once again bring the ancient ritual of "kissing hands" into the spotlight, a symbolic act that, despite its evolving form, remains a cornerstone of the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power.
The Evolution of a Royal Protocol
The formal act of a new Prime Minister "kissing hands" upon appointment is a practice steeped in centuries of British history. While the exact origins are somewhat obscure, it signifies the monarch’s acceptance of the individual as their chief advisor and the leader of His Majesty’s Government. In contemporary times, the physical act is widely understood to have transitioned from a literal, full-handed kiss to a more symbolic handshake. This subtle shift, however, does not diminish the significance of the moment. It is a discreet but vital component of the formal investiture, officially recorded in the Court Circular, a daily record of royal engagements and activities. The brevity of this exchange belies its profound constitutional importance, marking the seamless continuation of governance.
The historical precedent for the monarch personally officiating such a transition, even when abroad, underscores the paramount importance of this ritual. A compelling instance of this occurred in the spring of 1908, when King Edward VII found himself on a personal retreat in Biarritz, France. At that time, the government was led by Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, a Liberal statesman whose health was rapidly deteriorating. On April 3rd, 1908, Sir Henry formally resigned his office. The succession was remarkably uncontested, with Herbert Asquith, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, being the clear and unopposed choice to lead the Liberal Party and, consequently, the country. However, the geographical distance presented a unique challenge: the King was on holiday in the south of France, over 500 miles from London.
A Riviera Royal Appointment: The 1908 Precedent
In a testament to the unwavering commitment to constitutional continuity, Herbert Asquith embarked on a swift journey to Biarritz to meet the King. He arrived at the illustrious Hotel du Palais on April 7th, 1908, for the traditional ceremony. The setting itself was imbued with a sense of grandeur and history. The Hotel du Palais had originally been conceived in the mid-1850s as a lavish holiday residence for Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. By 1880, it had been transformed into a hotel, and by the time of Asquith’s visit, it had undergone a significant reconstruction following a devastating fire in 1903, retaining its original opulent architecture.
Within the elegant confines of the hotel’s private rooms, away from public view, the formal exchange between King Edward VII and Herbert Asquith took place. This private audience, marked by the symbolic "kissing of the hands," allowed for the seamless transfer of premiership. Following this constitutional formality, Asquith departed almost immediately to return to London and commence the formation of his new government. King Edward VII, a monarch known for his fondness for Biarritz, remained in his beloved French retreat, demonstrating that the demands of statecraft could, and did, transcend personal leisure.
This historical episode highlights the critical nature of the monarch’s personal involvement in the appointment of a Prime Minister. The willingness of a soon-to-be Prime Minister to undertake such a significant journey underscores the enduring weight of this ancient tradition in ensuring governmental stability. While the phrase "kissed hands" might appear as one of the most archaic elements in the official documentation of a new Prime Minister taking office, its symbolic resonance remains potent.
Navigating Modern Transitions: Balmoral, Sandringham, and Highgrove
The prospect of King Charles III appointing his fourth Prime Minister raises questions about the location of this significant constitutional event, particularly given the monarch’s established summer routines. Sir Keir Starmer has indicated his hope that a new Labour leader will be in place by the time Parliament reconvenes after its summer recess, typically around September 1st. This timeline suggests that the decision regarding a new Prime Minister could coincide with King Charles III potentially being away from London.
While the King and Queen traditionally spend their late summer months at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, it is unlikely that the "kissing of the hands" ceremony would take place there. Balmoral, while a cherished royal residence, is geographically remote and can present logistical challenges for swift governmental transitions. A poignant example of this occurred in 2022 when Queen Elizabeth II, then at Balmoral, had planned to travel to London to receive Liz Truss as her new Prime Minister. However, due to medical advice, she remained in Scotland. This necessitated both the outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and his successor, Liz Truss, to travel to Balmoral. The transition was further complicated by adverse weather conditions, leading to delays.
In contrast, Sandringham House in Norfolk, another of the King’s private residences, offers greater accessibility from London. However, it is generally understood that for such a significant constitutional event as the appointment of a Prime Minister, the monarch would likely travel to the capital to perform the duty, rather than expecting the incoming and outgoing Prime Ministers to undertake extensive travel to a private estate. This preference for London underscores the symbolic importance of the capital as the seat of government.
Another potential, albeit less conventional, location for such an event could be Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. It is understood that Sir Keir Starmer had communicated with King Charles III prior to his public resignation announcement, and this conversation reportedly took place at Highgrove, the King’s private home which he technically leases from Prince William as part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate. Highgrove is situated approximately a two-hour drive from London, making it a more accessible option than Balmoral. The possibility of the "kissing of the hands" ceremony occurring at Highgrove, facilitating a transition between Sir Keir Starmer and the fourth Prime Minister of King Charles III’s reign, cannot be entirely ruled out, though a London-based venue remains the more traditional and probable choice.
The Broader Implications of Continuity
The impending change in Labour leadership and the subsequent potential for a new Prime Minister serves as a potent reminder of the enduring strength and adaptability of the British constitutional framework. The "kissing of the hands" ritual, in its modern iteration, encapsulates the smooth, orderly, and peaceful transfer of power that has long been a hallmark of British democracy.
The selection of a new Labour leader will involve a period of internal party campaigning and voting. The specific date for this selection remains to be finalized, but the commitment to have a new leader in place before Parliament reconvenes suggests a relatively prompt process. Once the new leader is chosen, the constitutional protocol dictates that they must be formally invited by the monarch to form a government. This invitation is extended after the outgoing Prime Minister has tendered their resignation to the monarch.
The implications of this transition are multifaceted. Domestically, it will signal a shift in political direction and policy priorities, depending on the platform of the incoming Labour leader. On the international stage, a new Prime Minister will represent the United Kingdom, influencing diplomatic relations and global standing. The continuity provided by the monarchical office, acting as a steady hand throughout these political shifts, offers a sense of stability amidst the dynamism of democratic governance.
The historical precedent set in Biarritz in 1908, where a monarch journeyed to ensure the seamless continuation of government, and the modern considerations of royal travel and accessibility, both point to the same fundamental truth: the ritual of appointing a Prime Minister, however subtle, is a vital mechanism for national stability. As King Charles III prepares to preside over another such transition, the age-old tradition of "kissing hands" will once again affirm the enduring relationship between the Crown and its government, a relationship that underpins the unique constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom. The upcoming event will not just be a change in political leadership; it will be another chapter written in the long and distinguished history of British governance, a testament to its capacity for both tradition and evolution.
