LIZ Truss has been announced as the new UK prime minister and leader of the Conservative party – and the third female prime minister in history.
But who has led the country in the years before? Here’s a look at how many prime ministers the queen has had during her 70 years on the throne.
How many prime ministers has the Queen had?
When the Queen ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, she took on the responsibility of appointing the Prime Minister.
During her time on the throne, Her Majesty has had 15 prime ministers, including Boris Johnson – who will be the first prime minister in history to relinquish his role.
A Prime Minister’s term lasts a maximum of five years and while there is no maximum number of terms, most are not re-elected.
Some prime ministers have served multiple terms, but often this is around two terms.
During her time on the throne, Her Majesty has had 15 prime ministers, including Boris Johnson
More recently, prime ministers have struggled to make it through one complete term due to political unrest.
Well known figures of British politics such as Churchill, Thatcher and Blair all served under the Queen.
She has ruled for 70 years and has seen prime minsters serve anywhere from 363 days to almost 12 years.
There are rumours as to which prime ministers she got along with better, however Her Majesty never discusses this.
Who was the Queen’s first prime minister?
The Queen’s first Prime Minister was one of the most well known icons of British politics.
Sir Winston Churchill returned to his role as Prime Minister in 1951 and was there to greet 25-year-old Elizabeth when she was crowned.
He previously served King George VI, the Queen’s father, and went on to serve for four more years until 1955.
Here’s every Prime Minister who has served the Queen.
- Winston Churchill (1951 – 1955)
- Anthony Eden (1955 – 1957)
- Harold MacMillan (1957 – 1963)
- Alec Douglas-Home (1963 – 1964)
- Harold Wilson (1964 – 1970)
- Edward Heath (1970 – 1974)
- Harold Wilson (1974 – 1976)
- James Callaghan (1976 – 1979)
- Margaret Thatcher (1979 – 1990)
- John Major (1990 – 1997)
- Tony Blair (1997 – 2007)
- Gordon Brown (2007 – 2010)
- David Cameron (2010 – 2016)
- Theresa May (2016 – 2019)
- Boris Johnson (2019 – 2022 )
- Liz Truss (2022 – ongoing)
How often does the Queen meet with the Prime Minister?
As part of her weekly routine, the Queen meets with the Prime Minister to discuss the affairs of the week.
This meeting usually happens on a Wednesday, much like Questions to the Prime Minister (PMQs).
For 70 years, The Queen has welcomed the Prime Minister in Buckingham Palace‘s Audience room.
She offers guidance and support but publicly holds no political bias or opinion.
In a 1992 documentary, the Queen said prime ministers feel like they can release some of the pressure they face when speaking to her.
She said: “They tell me what is going on or if they have any problems, and sometimes I can help in some way as well.”
“They know I can be impartial and it is rather nice to feel one is a sponge.
“Occasionally one can put one’s point of view and perhaps they have not seen it from that angle.”
This meeting is held entirely in private and it is not known what the pair discuss during the audience – however, cameras were invited in to record the start of the first face-to-face audience in 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the coronavirus restrictions weekly meetings were instead held over the phone.
