He’s seen it all. Truly. From the frantic, rain-soaked resignation of Rishi Sunak to the blink-and-you-miss-it tenure of Liz Truss, one brown-and-white tabby has remained the only permanent fixture at 10 Downing Street.
Larry.
He isn't just a pet. Honestly, calling him a pet is a bit of an insult to his rank. He is the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, a title he’s held since 2011. While the UK has churned through six different Prime Ministers in that time—Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, and now Starmer—Larry has simply kept napping.
Larry the Cat UK: The Civil Servant Who Can’t Be Fired
People often wonder if the incoming Prime Minister brings Larry with them. They don't. That’s a common misconception. Larry belongs to the house, or more accurately, he’s a civil servant. When David Cameron left in 2016, he had to clarify at Prime Minister’s Questions that Larry wasn't his personal property. He belongs to the staff. He’s part of the furniture.
He recently turned 19 in January 2026. That’s a massive milestone for a rescue cat who started his life at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Most cats his age are strictly indoor seniors, but Larry still patrols the cobbles. He’s become a symbol of continuity. In a country that’s felt a bit like a revolving door of leadership lately, Larry is the one thing people can actually count on.
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The "Lazy Larry" Allegations
It hasn’t always been easy for him. Early on, he was branded "Lazy Larry" by the tabloids. Why? Because the mice were basically running laps around the Cabinet table while he slept. There’s a famous story from the Cameron era where the PM actually had to throw a silver fork at a mouse during a dinner because Larry was nowhere to be found.
His first kill didn’t happen until April 2011.
The official Downing Street website says his duties include "testing antique furniture for napping quality." It’s a joke, but also... not really. He spends most of his time lounging on the warm hoods of armored cars or waiting for a policeman to open the famous black door for him. He has a doorman. Do you have a doorman? Probably not.
Territorial Wars and Political Fights
If you think Westminster is catty, you should see the actual cats. Larry’s tenure has been marked by some pretty serious brawls. His rivalry with Palmerston, the former Chief Mouser at the Foreign Office, was legendary. We’re talking full-on, fur-flying fights that made national news. In 2016, one particularly nasty scrap left Larry without his collar and Palmerston with a torn ear.
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Palmerston eventually retired to the countryside in 2020. Larry won that war of attrition.
Then there was Freya, the cat belonging to George Osborne. She was a bit of a wanderer and once got into a "finger-pointing" (or claw-pointing) spat with Larry on the street. Even the current residents aren't immune. Keir Starmer brought his own family cat, Jojo, and a Siberian kitten named Prince into the mix. Rumor has it Larry still rules the roost, though. He’s 19, but he still has that "Battersea attitude."
Why Larry Matters in 2026
So, why does a cat get this much press?
It’s about the optics. Larry has a higher favorability rating than almost any politician he’s served under. In 2024, an Ipsos poll showed him with a 44% favorability rating. For context, the politicians nearby were often struggling to break 20%.
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He provides a "softer" side to the government. When the news is all about inflation, strikes, or geopolitical tension, there’s Larry, chasing a fox off the driveway. Yes, that actually happened. A fox roughly twice his size tried to enter his territory, and Larry chased it into the bushes. It’s the kind of grit the British public loves.
Managing the Health of a National Treasure
In late 2023 and again in 2024, there were some pretty grim rumors that Downing Street was preparing for Larry’s passing. It’s a sad reality of a cat reaching his late teens. Officials reportedly have a plan in place for the announcement—sort of a feline version of "London Bridge."
But as of early 2026, he’s still here. He’s happy, healthy, and still tripping up photographers. Just recently, he made headlines again for nearly taking out a Polish photographer who was trying to get a shot of a diplomatic exit.
Actionable Insights for Larry Fans
If you’re following the Larry saga, here is what you need to know about supporting rescue animals and following the Chief Mouser:
- Support the Source: Larry came from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Whenever Larry hits a milestone, donations to Battersea usually spike. If you want a "Larry" of your own, rescue centers are the place to start.
- Check the Facts: Larry has an "official" presence on the government website, but his most famous "voice" is the @Number10Cat account on X (formerly Twitter). Just remember, that account is unofficial, even if it feels very real.
- Don't Feed the Cat: If you’re ever a tourist outside the gates of Downing Street, don't expect to be able to toss him a treat. He’s guarded by armed police and fed a very specific diet funded by the staff's own pockets.
Larry has survived a decade and a half of political chaos. He’s outlasted the highs and lows of the UK's most powerful people. As he enters his 20th year, his legacy as the most successful civil servant in British history is pretty much secure. He doesn't care about your policy papers. He just wants a warm spot on the carpet.