Larry (cat)

Larry
A cat with a red, white and blue bow tie.
Official portrait, 2016
Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Assumed role
15 February 2011
Serving with Freya (2012–2014)
Monarch
Prime Minister
See list
Preceded bySybil (2009)
Personal details
Bornc. January 2007 (age 19)
London, England
Residence10 Downing Street
Occupation
  • Mouser
  • civil servant
AwardsBlue plaque at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (2012)

Larry is a cat who has served as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office[1] of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street since 2011. He is a brown-and-white tabby, believed to have been born in January 2007. By July 2016, when Theresa May became prime minister, he had developed a reputation of being "violent" in his interactions with other local mousers, especially the Foreign Office's much younger cat Palmerston.[2] His Prime Ministers are David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. And his monarch is Elizabeth II and Charles III.

Health

Since being a kitten, Larry has been in good health and has lived over the average of other cats.

In January 2016 Larry had suffered an infection, which he later recovered from.

On 24 September 2023, The Sun reported that Larry was seriously ill and that 10 Downing Street were in the process of preparing his death.[3] Downing Street denied this and said Larry was "happy and healthy."[4]

Early life

Larry is a rescued stray cat from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who was chosen by Downing Street staff. Larry was intended to be a pet for the children of David and Samantha Cameron, and was described by Downing Street sources as a "good ratter" and as having "a high chase-drive and hunting instinct". In 2012, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home revealed that Larry's popularity had resulted in a surge of 15% more people adopting cats.[5]

Career

Official duties

Larry outside Ten Downing Street

The Downing Street website describes Larry's duties as "greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences, and testing antique furniture for napping quality". It says he is "contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house" and has told Downing Street that such a solution is still in the "tactical planning stage".

Unlike his predecessors since 1929, Larry's upkeep is funded by the staff of 10 Downing Street.[6] Fund-raising events to pay for his food are believed to have included a quiz night for Downing Street staff held in the state rooms.

Work as a Chief Mouser

He made his first known kill – a mouse – on 22 April 2011. On 28 August 2012, Larry made his first public killing, dropping his prey on the lawn in front of Number 10. In October 2013, Larry caught four mice in two weeks and one staff member rescued a mouse from his clutches.

In July 2015, George Osborne and Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock cornered a mouse in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's office, trapping it in a brown paper sandwich bag. The press joked that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might take over the Chief Mouser position.

David Cameron explained during his final Prime Minister's Questions in 2016 that Larry is a civil servant and not personal property, so would not leave Downing Street after a change of premier.

Larry with Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama

David Cameron has said that Larry is a "bit nervous" around men, speculating that, since Larry was a rescue cat, this may be due to negative experiences in his past.[7] Cameron mentioned that Barack Obama is an apparent exception to this fear: he said, "Funnily enough he liked Obama. Obama gave him a stroke and he was all right with Obama."[7]

In June 2019, in what was described in the press as a photobombing, Larry could be seen on the window ledge outside 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May posed with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the start of Trump's state visit to the UK; he later sheltered from the rain under Trump's presidential state car and was convinced to come out only after some time.[8][9]

Prime Minister Liz Truss told the American journalist Jake Tapper in an interview in September 2022 that "he's doing a great job, although he does spend rather a lot of his time asleep."[10]

He had brief encounters with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy[11][12] in October 2024 and December 2025 and met President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in 2025.[13] Larry also met and seemed friendly with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2025, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in December 2025 and Polish President Karol Nawrocki in January 2026.[14][15][16][17]

In April 2026, he caught a mouse during a speech by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.[18]

A picture gallery to celebrate Larry's first two years in office was produced by The Daily Telegraph.[19]

Larry's adventures and observations on life at Number 10 became the subject of a weekly cartoon in The Sunday Express, drawn by the cartoonist Ted Harrison.[20]

In 2012 Larry was visible on the Google Street View of Number 10, sleeping next to the door.[21]

A toy version of Larry is featured in the window of a mock version of 10 Downing Street, as reproduced in the lobby of The Londoner Macao in Macau, China.[22]

Press photographers at 10 Downing Street who regularly take pictures of Larry have become popular on social media,[23][24] and the photographer Justin Ng explained Larry's popularity through his "universal appeal" and described him as "media savvy."[25][26][27] Ng and Larry were featured in a documentary about cats by British writer David Baddiel broadcast on Channel 4 in January 2026.[28][29][30]

Sky News included Larry the Cat in its virtual Downing Street representation as part of its coverage of the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[31]

An unofficial parody Twitter account called @Number10Cat has become widely known for mocking and providing commentary on British and international political developments.[32] The New York Times noted in 2022 that it "posts occasionally snarky observations about [the] rotating cast of prime ministers who occupy the house."[33][34] In September 2024 The Times published a parody article attributed to Larry expressing his views about the new prime minister, Starmer, and his pets, and also highlighted several posts from the account over the years.[35] In July 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves joked about Larry and the Twitter account during Macron's state visit, with Reeves suggesting he was "the most popular person in Downing Street" and Starmer stating that he "has a very good social media profile" and telling Macron that "nobody knows" who writes the account's posts.[36] Macron called a post by the account about the lending of the Bayeux Tapestry "wonderful" and also referred to it during his press conference statement.[37][38] French news channel station BFM TV had also posted a feature about Larry on its social media accounts in connection with the visit.[39]

In 2025 a book about animals in politics by journalist and former U.K. government advisor Peter Cardwell was inspired by the author's interactions with and social media posts about Larry.[40][41] According to Cardwell, a rat seen on TV during a BBC broadcast brought about the decision to get a cat at Downing Street and he wrote that despite some doubts Larry has in fact caught some mice.[42]

In February 2026, ITV News, the Associated Press and Sky News marked his 15th year at Downing Street in news videos,[43][44][45] as did international news outlets like ZDF from Germany and BFM TV from France.[46][47]

References

  1. ↑ "10 Downing Street - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Larry (2021). There is a new cat Palmerston. United States. p. 1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ "Downing Street's pet cat Larry in 'ill-health' as officials plan protocol in case of chief mouser's death". LBC. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  4. ↑ "Larry the Cat 'happy and healthy' after reports that he was seriously unwell". ITV News. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Larry (2021). In 2012, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home revealed that Larry's popularity had resulted in a surge of 15% more people adopting cats. United States. p. 1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ↑ Johnson, Larry (2021). Unlike his predecessors since 1929, Larry's upkeep is funded by the staff of 10 Downing Street. United States. p. 1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. 1 2 "Number 10 cat Larry catches three mice". BBC News. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  8. ↑ Horton, Alex (4 June 2019). "Larry the Downing Street cat parks himself under Trump limo". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019 – via San Francisco Chronicle.
  9. ↑ Moran, Lee (4 June 2019). "Larry the Downing Street Cat Goes All Passive-Aggressive on Donald Trump". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  10. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". transcripts.cnn.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  11. ↑ "Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky..." Getty Images. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  12. ↑ AFP News Agency (2025-12-10), Downing Street cat Larry steals show during Zelensky visit | AFP, retrieved 2026-03-07
  13. ↑ Number 10 (2025-04-24), Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Ursula von der Leyen, retrieved 2025-07-11{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  15. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  16. ↑ Telewizja Republika (2026-01-13), Najbardziej znany kot z Downing Street skradł show podczas wizyty prezydenta w Londynie, retrieved 2026-01-19
  17. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  18. ↑ Bradley, Sian (2026-04-01). "Larry the Downing Street cat finally shows off his mousing skills". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  19. ↑ "In pictures: David Cameron's cat – Larry, Chief Mouser of Downing Street". The Daily Telegraph. London. 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  20. ↑ "A softer side of government: How Larry the cat became a purr-fect political companion on Downing Street". CBC News. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  21. ↑ Whittaker, Zack (30 July 2012). "Google Street View pays visit to U.K. prime minister". CNET. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "Londoner Macao Hotel Review | Macau Casinos". Maven of Macau. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  23. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". transcripts.cnn.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  24. ↑ Sedghi, Amy (2025-11-08). "A rats to riches story: Larry the Downing Street cat finds place in TV spotlight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  25. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". transcripts.cnn.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  26. ↑ AFP News Agency (2024-07-04). Britain's true ruler? Larry, the Downing Street cat | AFP. Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ Associated Press (2024-07-05). Downing Street cat Larry prepares for new UK prime minister in Number 10. Retrieved 2025-01-25 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ Singh, Anita (2026-01-16). "David Baddiel talking about cats? A lot better than it sounds". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  29. ↑ "Watch David Baddiel: Cat Man | Stream free on Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  30. ↑ Channel 4 Pets (2026-01-23), Is There An Absence Of Cats? | David Baddiel: Cat Man, retrieved 2026-01-25{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ↑ "Sky News unveils virtual Larry the Cat as part of election night coverage | Virgin Radio UK". virginradio.co.uk. 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  32. ↑ Barr, Kyle (2022-07-07). "This Cat's Fake Twitter Has No Patience For Boris During PM's Series of Scandals". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  33. ↑ Telewizja Republika (2026-01-13), Najbardziej znany kot z Downing Street skradł show podczas wizyty prezydenta w Londynie, retrieved 2026-01-19
  34. ↑ https://x.com/Number10cat/status/1880309220765233188
  35. ↑ Cat, Larry the (2024-09-07). "Larry the Cat on life in Downing Street and the new arrivals". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  36. ↑ "Macron jokes about Larry the cat with Starmer and Reeves". www.bbc.com. 2025-07-10. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  37. ↑ Guardian News (2025-07-10). Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron hold joint press conference – watch live. Retrieved 2025-07-12 – via YouTube.
  38. ↑ https://x.com/Number10cat/status/1942914145411617251
  39. ↑ BFMTV (2025-07-10). Royaume-Uni: "Larry The Cat", locataire à quatre pattes du 10 Downing Street depuis quinze ans. Retrieved 2025-07-11 – via YouTube.
  40. ↑ "The secret lives of politicians' pets is brought to book by NI broadcaster". 2025-07-22. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  41. ↑ Cardwell, Peter (2026). Political Animals: The Secret Life of the Political Pets of Westminster and Washington. London: Biteback Publishing. ISBN 978-1-83736-015-4.
  42. ↑ "Larry, King of Downing Street". Museum of the Prime Minister. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  43. ↑ "Larry the Cat to celebrate 15 years as Downing Street's chief mouser | ITV News". ITV News. 2026-02-14. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  44. ↑ Associated Press (2026-02-14), Larry the cat marks 15 years as Britain’s Chief Mouser, retrieved 2026-02-15
  45. ↑ "No 10 are spoiling Larry with 'some extra cat treats' to mark the occasion". Sky News. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  46. ↑ "10 Downing Street: Zu Besuch bei Kater Larry". ZDFheute (in German). 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  47. ↑ "Il a connu six Premiers ministres: Larry, le chat de Downing Street, fête ses 15 ans à la résidence officielle du gouvernement britannique". BFM (in French). 2026-02-15. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
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