London, July 13: History will record that David Cameron's last supper consisted of a takeaway curry as he and his staff worked late into the night to ensure today's transfer of power went off smoothly - which it did.

Cameron's six years in office came to an end formally this evening when he went to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to the Queen.

He was followed swiftly by Theresa May, his home secretary for six years, who met the monarch and "kissed hands" on her appointment as the new Prime Minister.

Actually, there is no kissing of hands these days. May, 59, who was "crowned" the Tory leader as all other rivals had dropped off or been knifed, shook hands with the 90-year-old monarch, who was asking her 13th Prime Minister to form Her Majesty's Government.

Then May went to 10 Downing Street as its new occupant and immediately set about appointing her cabinet.

Philip Hammond took the helm of Britain's finance ministry after the new Prime Minister appointed the former foreign secretary to succeed George Osborne.

Amber Rudd, a former British energy minister, was appointed interior minister, a role that will make her a key player in the country's approach to immigration.

"We will rise to the challenge. 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," May said.

As Britain's second female Prime Minister, May has prompted comparisons with "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher, who governed from 1979 until 1990 and was no stranger to doing battle in Europe. May's six years in charge of the cabinet's law-and-order portfolio was the longest tenure for a century in what is widely seen as one of the government's toughest jobs.

The Sun newspaper cast May as "The Iron Mayden", the new "Mrs T".

It was revealed last night's supper for Cameron at No. 10 came courtesy The Kennington Tandoori, a favourite haunt of MPs, which sent a moped with £50 worth of spicy Indian dishes, including mixed grill, samosas and sag aloo.

The symbolism of the last meal is appropriate. Cameron has put so much effort on establishing a "special relationship" with India.

He presided over his final Prime Minister's Questions, where he was applauded and given an emotional farewell - even by Opposition MPs.

Cameron's final quip brought to end a series that started 11 years ago when he took to the Despatch Box to face Tony Blair for the first time with the infamous taunt that he today turned on himself. "I was the future once," recalled Cameron.

When it comes to women Prime Ministers it is 2-0, Cameron shot at Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn "and not a pink bus in sight" - a jibe at Labour's attempt to appeal to women voters by giving a minibus a friendly female colour.

With a party behind him that managed to resolve its change of leadership within a matter of weeks, Cameron told Corbyn he was like the black knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Cameron also sent a warning to May not to allow the Brexit vote to drive a wedge between the UK and its continental partners.

"My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be - for the benefits of trade, of co-operation and of security," he said. "The Channel will not get any wider once we leave the European Union, and that is the relationship we should seek."

Incidentally, Cameron today declared his love for Larry the Downing Street cat, insisting he was sad to leave him behind as his premiership ended.

He quashed a rumour that he was not a fan of the cat, officially known as the chief mouser.

Holding up a picture of Larry lying in his lap, Cameron said he wanted to address "the rumour that I somehow don't love Larry".

He said: "I do and I have photographic evidence to prove it."

The Cabinet Office confirmed earlier this week that Larry will continue to reside in his famous abode when May moves in after becoming Prime Minister.

Cameron told the Commons: "Sadly, I can't take Larry with me, he belongs to the house and the staff love him very much - as do I."

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY REUTERS