15 Years of Larry the Cat: 10 Photos of the Purr-manent Fixture Downing Street Can't Evict

The revolving door of British politics has seen many leaders come and go, but one permanent fixture remains at the heart of government.

Larry the Cat has officially patrolled the corridors of Number 10 for a decade and a half, outlasting several prime ministers with quiet dignity.

A Milestone for the Chief Mouser

Few people who move into Number 10 manage to stick around for very long lately. Yet Larry reached a 15-year milestone at Downing Street yesterday, having outlasted six prime ministers during his time as chief mouser.

His journey began in February 2011 when he arrived from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, according to his official government page. At the time, he was intended to be a pet for the children of David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, during their stay at Number 10.

An Official Mandate with a Touch of Leisure

In his capacity as chief mouser, he is responsible for managing the rodent problem at Number 10—a formal post that a feline has held since the 1920s. Now aged 19, Larry has remained in place through the administrations of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

This well-known tabby won over the British public through his frequent appearances at the Prime Minister's doorstep in central London. His formal role involves 'inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality', as well as 'contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.'

A Record-Breaking Resident with a Feisty Reputation

The tabby cat secured his place in history as 'chief mouser' by surpassing the tenure of Peter III, who resided at Downing Street between 1947 and 1964.

Far from shy when it comes to a confrontation, Larry has experienced a few tense moments with fellow Government cats—most notably a four-year rivalry with Palmerston, the Foreign Office's Chief Mouser, until his adversary stepped down in 2019.

The authorities were forced to intervene during a scrap between Larry and Freya, the pet belonging to the then-Chancellor, George Osborne.

Snubs, Scraps, and Ministerial Critiques

Never one to hide his feelings about world leaders, Larry famously snubbed Liz Truss during her brief premiership as she tried to present him to her Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, as reported by DailyMotion. His prickly nature even prompted one of Keir Starmer's ministers to refer to the celebrity feline as a 'little s***'. At a dinner in Glasgow, Ian Murray remarked that Larry is 'the most miserable animal you'll ever meet in your life.'

Equivalent to a 90-year-old human, the veteran mouser reportedly made his first catch in April 2011 when he was four years old. This followed a period where he was known as 'Lazy Larry' because he hadn't yet proven his hunting skills.

The Media's Favourite Foreground Fixture

Always a hit with the cameras, the famous cat was caught pouncing on a bird while journalists stood by for an update on EU trade negotiations. Beyond his hunting exploits, he has also had his fair share of rocky relationships with other local animals.

Larry famously sparred with the late Palmerston, who had been recruited to manage the mice in the neighbouring Foreign Office buildings. Akshata Murty, the wife of former leader Rishi Sunak, also shared that Larry had 'heated exchanges' with their Labrador puppy, Nova, during their time at Downing Street—though she noted the cat always 'come out on top.'

Diplomatic Relations and Domestic Peace

Sir Keir Starmer mentioned in February last year that he initially had to separate his family's Siberian kitten, Prince, from Larry, fearing the Downing Street veteran 'doesn't like him'. By the time he took office in 2024, the Starmers owned two cats, Prince and Jojo.

According to Lord Cameron, Larry has a reputation for being 'not very keen on men', which made his friendly reaction to Barack Obama all the more surprising. The former American president was among the numerous international figures Larry has met while presiding over Number 10.

Even formal documentation of world leader visits sometimes features the cat; he can be seen perched on a windowsill in a picture of then-Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May alongside US President Donald Trump.

A Calm Presence in a Political Storm

Throughout the political turbulence of the last 15 years, Larry has frequently offered a moment of levity by lounging on the step of Number 10. He often rests there, seemingly oblivious to the monumental announcements about to be delivered by the nation's leaders.

Reflecting on his decade and a half at the heart of government, a popular tribute account for Larry marked the milestone online. A post from the @Number10cat profile read: '15 years ago today I arrived on Downing Street in a cage.'

'I've seen off Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak, and I'm still going strong. Only two Prime Ministers have ever done longer stints here: William Pitt the Younger and Sir Robert Walpole. Bill and Bob - I'm coming for you... '

Protocol for a Post-Larry Era

Reports revealed last year that a formal plan is in place for when Larry finally bows out. Named 'Larry Bridges' in a nod to the ceremonial bridge protocols used for the Royal Family, these quiet preparations are ready for whenever the 19-year-old veteran departs.

For now, however, the nation's favourite feline shows no signs of stopping as he continues to rule the roost at his famous address.