Theresa May becomes new British PM after meeting Queen at Buckingham Palace

Speaking live on television in Downing Street, May, also the new leader of the Conservative Party, said that her cabinet will put ordinary citizens and their interests before those of the wealthy.

May became Britain’s leader after Buckingham Palace said the queen was “graciously pleased to accept” David Cameron’s resignation.

In her first speech as prime minister, May said she plans to lead in the spirit of unity and build a country that “works for everyone”. May, 59, became the sole candidate for the role when her rival, Andrea Leadsom, pulled out of the leadership race Monday.

Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley, who has served under Mrs May in the Home Office, is widely expected to be in line for a promotion.

Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties and voted in a June 23 referendum to quit the European Union, weakening the 28-nation bloc and creating huge economic uncertainty, including likely damage to trade and investment.

“My only wish is continued success for this great country that I love so very much”, he told assembled reporters.

Prior to that, the Queen accepted the resignation of David Cameron as prime minister.

The new Prime Minister was expected to make the first senior appointments to her government on Wednesday evening, including a minister for Brexit, the Guardian added.

“Goodbye Mr. Cameron. Nobody will miss you”. Because, yes, we can be pretty tough and test and challenge our leaders – perhaps more than some other countries – but that is something we should be proud of and we should keep at it, and I hope you will all keep at it, and I will will you on as you do.

Cameron made his final appearance in Parliament as Britain’s leader on Wednesday, turning the normally raucous prime minister’s questions session into a time for praise, thanks, gentle ribbing, cheers – all spiced with a sprinkle of criticism. Observers are keen to see if she appoints former London Mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, onetime Conservative leadership contenders who jointly headed the “leave” campaign but then turned on one another.

According to reports, Theresa May is the second woman Prime Minister of Britain after Margaret Thatcher.

Mr Cameron said he was “delighted that for the second time in British history the new prime minister will be a woman, and once again a Conservative”.

He gave an emotional speech outside Downing Street flanked by his wife Samantha and three children before being escorted to Buckingham Palace.

May had advocated waiting until the end of this year to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which sets the rules for a nation leaving the European Union, but many British and European Union politicians have urged her to move more quickly.