David Cameron left 10 Downing St. on Wednesday for the last time as Britain’s prime minister, making the short trip to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II after declaring that leading the country had been “the greatest honor of my life.”
Cameron made a brief statement outside the prime minister’s residence, his home for more than six years, accompanied by his wife Samantha and children Nancy, Elwen and Florence.
He said he was leaving the country stronger and better off than he had found it and wished his successor, Theresa May, luck in her negotiations for Britain leave the European Union – the issue that caused his demise.
At the palace, he will recommend that the queen invite May to form a new government; May will then visit the monarch before taking up the top job.
Earlier, Cameron made his final appearance as prime minister in Parliament, turning the usually raucous prime minister’s questions session into a time for praise, thanks, gentle ribbing, cheers – and a sprinkle of criticism.
Despite the suddenness of Cameron’s exit – less than three weeks after the June 23 referendum on Britain’s membership in the EU – he appeared relaxed and confident as he absorbed both praise and carping from opposition lawmakers.
After Cameron formally resigned, the 59-year-old May visited Buckingham Palace, where the queen officially requested that she form a new government.