Rishi Sunak was given a jubilant welcome by Conservative MPs in central London on Monday after being declared Britain’s next prime minister.
Dozens of Tories greeted the former chancellor with hugs, kisses and pats on the back as they welcomed him to the party’s campaign headquarters before his victory speech.
The celebratory mood was in stark contrast to the bitter division and chaos which have for weeks engulfed the Conservatives.
Mr Sunak, 42, beamed as he made his entrance, which set off a round of rapturous applause, before waving to the crowds gathered outside the gates.
After holding a meeting with his Conservative colleagues, Mr Sunak said he was “humbled and honoured” to have been elected by MPs as the new leader of the Tory party.
“It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I love and to give back to the country I owe so much to,” he said.
In his first speech as Conservative leader, he warned of more tough days ahead for Britain due to the “profound economic challenge” the country faces.
He also stressed the need for “stability and unity” — a thinly veiled reference to the upheaval that has rocked his party and caused instability across the political system.
Mr Sunak pledged to “make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together”.
'General election now'
Following his address, Mr Sunak left party headquarters to more cheers from supporters.
While many members of the public had turned up outside Tory party headquarters to watch out of curiosity, a handful were angry, using Mr Sunak's appearance as an opportunity to vent their frustration over the state of politics in Westminster and issuing a call for change.
“General election now!” was shouted by more than one protester as Mr Sunak’s car drove by.
Such calls, led by the Labour Party, have been growing louder since Liz Truss announced her resignation last week.
The opposition party seized on Mr Sunak's win to push their calls farther, arguing he does not have a mandate from the British public to govern. Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said the Tories had “crowned Rishi Sunak without him saying a word about what he would do”.
“He has no mandate, no answers and no ideas. Nobody voted for this,” she added.
The prime minister's official spokesman said a timetable had not yet been decided for the transition of power. However, it is expected that Ms Truss will visit King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to formally resign before Mr Sunak is formally sworn in as prime minister.
Following Monday's leadership race announcement, the king departed his Sandringham estate for London.
Mr Sunak's victory in the contest is historic because he will be the first person of Asian descent to lead Britain and the first leader to be sworn in by King Charles.
Congratulations for Mr Sunak poured in from leaders around the world.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his “warmest congratulations” to the UK's next prime minister on Twitter.
“As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030,” he wrote. “Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.”
Ireland's Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin sent a tweet to Mr Sunak saying: “I look forward to working with you as British PM on the important issues we face on these islands and globally.”
Rishi Sunak wins battle to become UK's next prime minister — in pictures
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Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
King Charles III invites Mr Sunak to become prime minister and form a new government in an audience at Buckingham Palace. PA -
Mr Sunak promised to bring stability amid what he called a “profound economic crisis”. PA -
The new prime minister is applauded as he enters Number 10. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak is greeted by Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case as he enters 10 Downing Street. AFP -
A worker loads a removal van with boxes outside 10 Downing Street. Reuters -
Members of the public wait for the arrival of Mr Sunak near Downing Street. AP -
Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office watch from the windows as Mr Sunak arrives in Downing Street. PA -
An Indian artist in Mumbai creates a painting to congratulate Mr Sunak on becoming prime minister. EPA -
Mr Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace. PA -
Incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with a wave. AFP -
Rishi Sunak is greeted by colleagues upon his arrival. AFP -
Conservative MPs applaud as Rishi Sunak arrives. Reuters -
Rishi Sunak departs after making a statement inside the Conservative Party's headquarters. PA -
Mr Sunak meets the 1922 Committee in Parliament after he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party when Penny Mordaunt dropped out. PA -
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces Mr Sunak as the new leader of the Conservatives and therefore the prime minister. PA -
Members of the media work outside No 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's prime minister, in central London, as they await announcements. AFP -
Mr Sunak leaves his campaign office in London. AP -
A billboard of Liz Truss, the departing prime minister, in London. Bloomberg -
Members of the public look through the gates into Downing Street. Reuters -
Mr Sunak leaves his home in London on Monday morning. AFP -
Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt speaks to the media on Sunday. Ms Mordaunt pulled out of the race moments before the deadline for nominations. PA
