David Cameron bids farewell in emotional scenes outside No10, paying tribute to ‘love of my life’ Sam and their 3 kids

DAVID Cameron walked his family out of Downing Street for the final time last night after paying a moving tribute to wife Samantha.

The outgoing Prime Minister had an emotional family hug with Samantha and their three young children on No10’s steps.

It was the first time he had shown Nancy, 12, Elwen, ten, and Flo, five, to the world publicly — and their youngest child giggled and cried during the emotional farewell.

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Saying their goodbyes: The Cameron family have left 10 Downing Street for the last time

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The Camerons were then driven in two cars to see the Queen at nearby Buckingham Palace for the PM’s formal resignation before ­Theresa May’s succession.

Speaking outside No10 — “our lovely home over these last six years” — the former Tory leader said his stint as Premier was “the greatest honour of my life”.

His voice cracking with emotion, Mr Cameron also thanked his wife — “the love of my life”.

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He told Samantha: “You have kept me vaguely sane and, as well as being an amazing wife, mother and businesswoman, you have done something every week in that ­building behind me to celebrate the best spirit of voluntary service in our country”.

Mr Cameron also told a heart-warming story about little Florence, who giggled and also briefly wept into her mother’s dress.

Insiders told last night how cheeky Florence “had bodyguards and servicemen wrapped around her little finger” and often stayed up late in her pyjamas to meet guests.

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Mr Cameron said of their children: “They sometimes kick the red boxes full of work.

“Florence – you once climbed into one, before a foreign trip, and said, ‘Take me with you’.”

Then he turned to her and promised: “No more boxes.”

Mr Cameron leaves office aged only 49 — the youngest PM to quit in 121 years since the Earl of Rosebery in 1895.

He wished “continued success for this great country that I love so very much” as tearful senior aides looked on just before 5pm.

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Mr Cameron also told of his delight that Mrs May was succeeding him, adding: “For the second time in British history, the new Prime Minister will be a woman – and once again, a Conservative.”

He heaped praise on Britain’s troops, spies and police for their “selfless dedication to the country”.

He said “the spirit of service is one of this country’s most remarkable qualities”, adding: “It is something I always knew.

A departure in fine style

SHE might have waved goodbye to Downing Street but Samantha Cameron scored a No10 for her beautiful dress.

The First Lady, left, chose a £1,495 Roksanda on her farewell appearance and oozed style.

The colour block look was vibrant without being overpowering — just like her personality. A zip down the front kept it current while the belt, a fave Sam Cam accessory, also cinched in her waist to show off her figure.

Teamed with classically simple black court shoes, it was a masterclass in stylish formalwear.

“But as Prime Minister you see it so directly that it blows you away.”

Mr Cameron also paid tribute to the countless volunteers in communities up and down the country. And he added: “For me politics has always been about public service in the national interest.

“It is simple to say but often hard to do.”

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Despite heated arguments, he said, there was a “quiet but prevailing sense” that most people wish their PM well and want them to stick at it and get on with the job.

He revealed his proudest achievement since taking over in Downing Street in 2010 was rescuing the economy from the aftershock of the credit crisis.

I want to thank my children: Nancy, Elwen and Florence, for whom Downing Street has been a lovely home over these last six years. They sometimes kick the red boxes full of work – Florence, you once climbed into one before a foreign trip and said “take me with you”. Well no more boxes. And above all, I want to thank Samantha, the love of my life. You have kept me vaguely sane and as well as being an amazing wife, mother and businesswoman.

David Cameron

The Government had slashed the deficit while the number of people in work had gone up by two-and-a-half million, he said.

He spoke with pride about the introduction of the National Living Wage, and the number of children who were languishing in the care system but have now been adopted.

David Cameron has updated his Twitter account after resigning as Prime Minister

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As rain began to fall on Downing Street, Mr Cameron said many more parents were able to send their children to good and outstanding schools.

He insisted that while more needed to be done, the NHS and the nation’s defences were in much better shape.

And he also restated his immense pride in steering through the same-sex marriage act. In one last dig at the critics in his own party, he added that Britain’s overseas aid spending had saved lives around the world.

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Moments after he left for Buckingham Palace, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates thanked Mr Cameron on Twitter “for leadership on fighting diseases and reducing inequality around the world”.

Hollywood star and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger added: “Best wishes to my friend David Cameron. You are the definition of a great public servant.”

Cabinet Ministers chipped in £100 each to buy him a leaving present, The Sun can reveal. The bumper-sized political Cabinet of 30 meant there was £3,000 in the kitty — with a solid silver beer tankard among the possible gifts.

Earlier, in one of his final acts in No10, Mr Cameron handed out gongs to close allies.

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Loyal long-serving ministers David Gauke and Ed Vaizey were made privy councillors, along with Scots’ Tories leader and rising star Ruth Davidson.

His full resignation honours list will be published within weeks, with a spattering of knighthoods and peerages set to go to aides.