After announcing his resignation as British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer will soon leave 10 Downing Street. But while political leaders continue to come and go, one resident remains firmly in place — Larry the Cat.
The United Kingdom government’s official “Chief Mouser” has been living at Downing Street since 2011 and is now preparing to welcome his seventh prime minister. Over the past 15 years, Larry has become one of the most recognisable faces in British politics, outlasting six prime ministers and countless political crises.
The 19-year-old feline was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011 by then-prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha. At the time, Cameron said he was delighted to welcome Larry to Downing Street and expressed confidence that the cat would become a popular addition to the famous address.
Unlike the prime ministers he serves alongside, Larry is not personally owned by any political leader. Instead, he is considered an official resident of Number 10 and carries the title of Chief Mouser, a role that involves helping control the rodent population around the prime minister’s residence.
The tradition of keeping cats in government buildings dates back more than a century, with records of feline residents in royal and government properties stretching back to the reign of King Henry VIII. Larry became the first official Downing Street cat since Humphrey, who served from 1989 until his retirement in 1997.
Now equivalent to more than 90 human years, Larry remains a popular attraction among tourists, journalists and political observers. He is frequently photographed lounging outside the iconic black door of Number 10, chasing pigeons or making surprise appearances during major political events.
With Starmer’s departure, Britain’s political landscape is set for another change. Larry, however, will continue his duties as Downing Street’s longest-serving resident, ready to greet yet another prime minister as the revolving door of British politics spins once more. (Herald)