Larry the Cat welcomes yet another prime minister into No 10

Larry the Cat has officially welcomed Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, to No 10 Downing Street, marking his seventh tenure in the role. The event followed Burnham’s formal acceptance of King Charles III’s invitation to form a government. At nearly 19 years old, Larry continues to serve as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, a position he has held since 2011. His presence at Downing Street has become a familiar and cherished part of British political life, offering a touch of levity amid the often-serious world of governance. Larry’s journey to becoming the official cat of Downing Street began in February 2011, when he was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Initially intended as a companion for the children of then-prime minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, Larry quickly became a fixture at Number 10. Over the years, he has shared the space with several prime ministers, including David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer. Each time, Larry has remained a constant, albeit occasionally contentious, presence. In his role as chief mouser, Larry is responsible for managing the rodent population within Downing Street. While this duty has been met with some skepticism over the years, Larry has reportedly demonstrated his skills early in his career. He made his first recorded kill at the age of four, in April 2011, when he pounced on a pigeon during a tense moment involving post-Brexit negotiations with the European Union. This incident earned him attention from the media, who often captured him in action, whether hunting or simply lounging on windowsills. Larry’s interactions with other animals have been varied. He famously clashed with Palmerston, a cat introduced to the Foreign Office buildings adjacent to Downing Street, and later with Freya, the cat owned by former Chancellor George Osborne. Despite these conflicts, the pair were said to have mostly coexisted peacefully. Similarly, Larry had notable encounters with Akshata Murty’s Labrador puppy, Nova, during the time the Sunak family resided at Downing Street. According to Murty, Larry consistently emerged victorious in their interactions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in 2024, noted that he had to keep his family’s Siberian kitten, Prince, away from Larry for fear of a potential conflict. The Starmers had two cats, Prince and Jojo, when Starmer assumed leadership. Larry’s behavior around humans has also drawn attention. Lord Cameron remarked that Larry was “not very keen on men,” which seemed contradictory given his warm reception of former U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Downing Street. Larry’s presence in official photographs, such as one featuring Baroness Theresa May with former President Donald Trump, further underscores his role as both a pet and a symbol of the institution. Larry’s legacy extends beyond his duties. He has become a cultural icon, appearing in numerous media reports and photographs, often as a quiet observer of political events. His continued service at the age of nearly 19 highlights the unique relationship between the British monarchy and its unofficial representatives. As Burnham begins his tenure, Larry remains a steadfast, if somewhat aloof, companion to the nation’s highest office.