New British Prime Minister Theresa May, 59, took office and started lining up her team, including former London mayor Boris Johnson, who was appointed foreign minister. Queen Elizabeth II had formally charged May with forming a government on Wednesday evening.

Philip Hammond meanwhile was named as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Hammond, who has previously served as Foreign Secretary, Transport Secretary and Defense Secretary will have to manage the UK economy as it adapts to plans to leave the EU. Amber Rudd will take over Theresa May's previous post as Home Secretary.

Other ministers named include David Davis in the newly created post of Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and Liam Fox in the new post of Secretary of State for International Trade.

Prime Minister May to follow Cameron's example

Theresa May becomes the second woman to hold the top post - 37 years after Margaret Thatcher took up office in 1979. May said she would follow David Cameron's footsteps in leading a one-nation government:

"It is in that spirit that I also plan to lead," she said, adding that she expected "a time of great national change" as Britain starts preparing to exit the EU.

"As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold, new, positive role for ourselves in the world and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us," she said. May also pledged to work to keep the UK together, addressing threats by Scotland's secessionist government to hold a second referendum on independence following the EU vote.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile said she was looking forward to working together with the new British new prime minister.

ss/bw (Reuters, AFP, dpa)