Prime Ministers may come and go, but there's someone who can always be counted on at Number 10, no matter what changes British politics brings - Larry, the Downing Street cat and iconic chief mouser.
Larry does not belong to any one prime minister who takes up residence at the address. In fact, Number 10 has been his official residence during the premierships of six prime ministers, including David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and most recently Keir Starmer.
Larry the Downing St Cat's early life
Larry is believed to have been born in January 2007, spending time as a street cat before he was taken in by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Larry's playful demeanour quickly made him a firm favourite with the staff at Battersea, but nobody imagined he would become a beloved resident at one of the most famous addresses in England.
Then, when Prime Minister David Cameron approached Battersea in 2011, everything changed for the former stray. Having spent time on the streets and in rescue, he found himself a civil servant at number 10 Downing Street. This marked the beginning of his iconic career.
Career as Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office
In line with a tradition in British politics, Larry was awarded the official title of Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office. The position itself dates back centuries, with predecessors including a cat named Peter who served in the 1920s, and Humphrey in the 1990s.
While Larry reportedly showed 'keen hunting instincts' during his time at Battersea, his career has not been without its challenges. Within a month of his arrival, an anonymous source shared concerns at Larry's "distinct lack of killer instinct", and his effectiveness as a mouser has been questioned many times over the years, particularly when he's been spotted napping on the job.
Thankfully, Larry's duties are not limited to catching mice. He is also tasked with "greeting guests, inspecting security defences, and testing antique furniture for napping quality".
In addition to his more formal role, he also regularly greets visitors to Number 10. Famously, he was once photographed enjoying attention from President Barack Obama, in an apparent exception to his fear of unknown men.
Clashes with Palmerston
Larry's time as the cat of Downing Street has not been without its rivalries. For a time he shared his mousing duties with Freya, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's family pet.
Then came Palmerston, Chief Mouser of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Their rivalry was perhaps the most notable, with various antics documented and caught on camera.
Much like Larry, black and white Palmerston is also a rescue cat. But despite their shared past, the two never seemed to hit it off, with Palmerston reportedly sneaking in to Downing Street in 2016. Later that year the two were photographed having a fight that resulted in damage to Palmerston's ear.
In 2020, Palmerston resigned from his position as FCO Chief Mouser, retiring to the countryside to "spend time away from the limelight".
Now, it remains to be seen whether another rivalry may be on the horizon, as current Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be joined at Number 10 by JoJo, a much-loved family pet.
Larry's Legacy
Since his arrival in 2011, Larry the Downing St cat has become quite the celebrity in his own right. He quickly became popular with the media, who regularly capture him lounging outside the famous black door of Number 10 or patrolling the streets of Whitehall. And it seems his fame isn't confined to those based in the United Kingdom. Larry has fans worldwide, with his activities frequently being covered by newspapers and television.
Larry is so famous, in fact, that he has his own fan pages on Facebook and Instagram, complete with photos, memes and updates. The tabby tomcat is followed by 835,000 people on one Twitter account alone. An Ipsos poll carried out earlier this year revealed that 44% of Britons have a favourable opinion of Larry, which placed him above Rishi Sunak at 22% and Keir Starmer at 34%.
His presence at 10 Downing Street has even inspired a range of merchandise, with Larry-themed items sold to raise money for Battersea Cats and Dogs home.
But there's more to Larry the cat than just his social media stardom. From his early life as a stray to beloved member of Downing Street, Larry's story is a testament to the resilience of a very special cat. Larry has brought charm and warmth to the world of British politics, seen by some as a symbol of continuity in times of change. From street cat to feline icon, Larry has most definitely solidified his place as one of the most famous cats in the world.
