Larry the Cat Celebrates 15 Years as Downing Street's Chief Mouser
Larry the cat, the official chief mouser to the Cabinet Office, is marking an impressive 15 years of service at 10 Downing Street in London. During his tenure, the 19-year-old tabby has served—or been served by—six prime ministers, capturing the hearts of the British public with his frequent appearances outside the Prime Minister's front door.
A Feline Legacy in British Government
Adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, Larry was originally intended as a pet for the children of then-Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha. As chief mouser, his primary duty is to control the rodent population in the building at the heart of the British Government, though his success in this role has been a subject of some dispute over the years.
The position of chief mouser has a long history, with various felines occupying the post since the 1920s. Historical records even indicate cats in Government residences dating back to the era of Henry VIII. Now more than 90 in relative human years, Larry is believed to have made his first kill on the job at the age of four in April 2011.
High-Profile Encounters and Public Moments
A favourite among the bank of press cameras stationed in Downing Street, Larry has provided numerous memorable moments. He was once witnessed pouncing on a pigeon while the media waited for an update on post-Brexit negotiations with the European Union. His presence has also been noted during significant diplomatic events, such as welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Larry's relationships with other animals have sometimes been fractious. He was known to fight with the late Palmerston, a cat brought in to control mice in the neighbouring Foreign Office buildings. Former Chancellor George Osborne's cat Freya also had conflicts with Larry during her time at Downing Street, although the two were said to have largely coexisted peacefully.
Interactions with Political Families and International Guests
Akshata Murty, the wife of former Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, once told Sky News that Larry had "heated exchanges" with her family's Labrador puppy Nova while they lived in Downing Street, with the cat always "coming out on top." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned in February last year that he initially had to keep his family's Siberian kitten Prince away from Larry, in case the Downing Street veteran "doesn't like him." The Starmers had two cats, Prince and Jojo, when he took office in 2024.
According to Lord Cameron, Larry has been reported to be "not very keen on men," which made it surprising how well the pet gelled with then-US President Barack Obama. Larry has welcomed many international guests to Downing Street and sometimes appears in official records of such visits. For instance, he can be seen lurking on a windowsill in a photograph of Baroness Theresa May with US President Donald Trump during her premiership.
A Symbol of Light Relief in Turbulent Times
Over the past 15 years, Larry has often provided moments of light relief amid the stormy political news emanating from Downing Street. Whether lying on the step of No 10 or making unexpected appearances, he remains largely unaware of the important announcements being made by the UK's political leaders. His enduring presence has turned him into an iconic figure, symbolising a touch of whimsy in the serious world of British governance.
