BBC and ITV left red-faced after saying Sir Keir Starmer was 'meeting the Queen' in embarrassing on-air blunders

BBC and ITV presenters were left gobsmacked today after announcing that new Prime Minister Keir Starmer was heading off to “meet the Queen”.

As the Labour leader was heading to Buckingham Palace to be officially installed as the 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by King Charles, both broadcasters made a mistake.

Those following the historic day were quick to point out the mistake, joking that it must have been a “long night” for the sleep-deprived journalists.

Someone wrote: “Big mistake on ITV when they say Starmer is about to meet the Queen.”

Another added: “Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC said the Prime Minister was on his way to Buckingham Palace to speak to the Queen. Long night, Laura?”

“BBC says Starmer will visit the Queen – wow, that’s morbid,” joked a third.

BBC and ITV presenters were left red-faced today after announcing that new Prime Minister Keir Starmer would ‘meet the Queen’ instead of the King.

Those following the vote were quick to point out the error, joking that it must have been a “long night” for the sleep-deprived journalists.

The errors came after what was a long night for many presenters, many of whom covered countless events while Queen Elizabeth was still alive.

An ITV presenter said as Sir Keir arrived at Buckingham Palace: “The door of the Range Rover opens and out comes Sir Keir Starmer that day, one of his administration.

“He is welcomed alongside the King’s private secretary, Lady Starmer at his side. They are welcome to go and see the Queen, to see the King, forgive me.”

Similarly, former BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said: “He went to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen, the King forgives me, Rishi Sunak said there had been a clear signal that the government needed to change.”

Sir Keir has now been asked by King Charles to form a government next his first audience with the monarch at Buckingham Palace.

The Labour leader is the second prime minister to be officially installed by the 75-year-old king since his mother’s death in September 2022.

Throughout her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth worked with 15 different prime ministers.

The last prime minister she appointed was Liz Truss, just two days before her death, after the country’s shortest-serving prime minister travelled to Balmoral to be officially appointed.

As Sir Keir stepped out of his Range Rover to meet the King’s private secretary, ITV said the new Prime Minister was on his way to meet the Queen – before quickly correcting himself

King Charles welcomes Sir Keir to form a government at their first audience at Buckingham Palace

The last Prime Minister appointed by the late Queen was Liz Truss, just two days before her death on 6 September 2022.

King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, October 25, 2022

Queen Elizabeth welcomes Boris Johnson, who will become Prime Minister on July 24, 2019

During the hearing, the last public photograph was taken of the Queen leaning on a cane as she shook hands with Mrs Truss.

The poignant image will go down in history, with Press Association photographer Jane Burrow saying Her Majesty “looked very happy” when the final photo was taken.

Just 49 days after the Queen appointed Truss as Prime Minister, her eldest son, King Charles, appointed Rishi as Prime Minister.

On October 25, 2022, the new monarch welcomed Mr Sunak, Britain’s youngest leader at 42, to form a government after Ms Truss handed in her resignation with immediate effect.