Normal politics will resume in Britain this afternoon as the Blair era comes to a close and Gordon Brown realises his ambition to be prime minister of the UK, writes Frank Millar, London Editor.
Tony Blair - three times election winner, and the most successful Labour Party leader in history - will address the British people as their premier for the last time when he rises to answer questions in the House of Commons at midday.
When asked by tradition to list his official engagements for the remainder of the day, Mr Blair will have but one to report - an audience with Queen Elizabeth to relinquish his seals of office.
A spokesman last night predicted there would be no "Thatcher moment" on the steps of Number 10 less than two hours later when Mr Blair says an emotional farewell to the Downing Street staff before making the historic trip along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. From there the expectation is that - subject to confirmation that the US, Russia, UN and EU quartet has agreed his appointment as Middle East envoy - Mr Blair will travel to his Sedgefield constituency to tell his local party he is also standing down as their MP.
At a second audience, meanwhile, the queen will invite Mr Brown as Labour leader to form a new government, the shape of which is eagerly awaited for an indication of the scale of change as well as continuity in the Brown era.
There was more than a hint of traditional party warfare yesterday as the incoming prime minister staged an early coup and dealt a blow to Conservative leader David Cameron with maverick Tory MP Quentin Davies, a former NI shadow spokesman, announcing his defection to Labour.
Following last week's offer of the post to former Liberal Democrat leader Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, the expectation is that Mr Brown will reinstate the role of full-time NI secretary in cabinet. The real significance of this, however, could be for Mr Brown's appointments for Scotland and Wales and what they tell about his future dealings with the devolved regions in general, and the Scottish region in particular.
Mr Brown has not committed to the appointment of a deputy prime minister, although Commons leader Jack Straw has been tipped for the post - while Mr Brown is widely seen to have relegated new Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman by announcing that she will now also be party chairman.
Mr Brown's fellow-Scot Alistair Darling is tipped to take over at the treasury, while John Reid's departure creates a vacancy at the home office and speculation continues that Margaret Beckett may be moved from the foreign office.