Friday, May 6 2005 17:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Queen Elizabeth II today (May 6, 2005) formally asked Prime Minister Tony Blair to form a new Government after the Labour Party leader won a record third consecutive term in power in a general election.

Blair, who celebrates his 52nd birthday today, spent about half an hour talking to the queen, a palace spokeswoman said.

He travelled to the sovereign's London residence, Buckingham Palace, with his wife Cherie. The pair then drove back to the Prime Minster's offices in Downing Street.