Watch CBS News

David Cameron Officially Resigns As British Prime Minister

LONDON (AP) -- Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II has accepted the resignation of David Cameron as British prime minister.

A statement from the palace says the monarch met with Cameron, who formally resigned the office before handing over to his successor, Theresa May.

BRITAIN-EU-POLITICS
The new leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) kneels as she is greeted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) at the start of an audience in Buckingham Palace in central London on July 13, 2016 where the Queen invited the former Home Secretary to become Prime Minister and form a new government. (DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Cameron said Wednesday it was the "greatest honor" of his life to serve as prime minister. Surrounded by his wife and children, Nancy, Elwen and Florence, Cameron offered an assessment of his tenure saying he left the country stronger and better off.

More: Now That The UK Has Voted To Exit The EU, What's Next?

May arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly afterward to be confirmed as British prime minister.

Cameron said he would resign after Britain voted to leave the European Union at the end of June. 

Cameron called for what would become known as the "Brexit" referendum under pressure from members of his party who claimed Europe costs and controls too much. Anger of mass immigration fueled the "Leave" campaign because of the EU's open borders.

The "Brexit" referendum came down to the wire. In the end, U.K. voters split 52 to 48 to leave the 28-nation bloc.

The decision sent global markets plunging and shattered the stability of the European Union, a project in continental unity designed half a century ago to prevent World War III.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.