Known affectionately as ‘Chief Mouser,’ Downing Street‘s most beloved resident may not rule over the country, but he certainly rules over the nation’s hearts.
Larry the Cat has been a permanent resident at Number 10 for the past 12 years, and has seen six prime ministers come and go, from David Cameron to current occupant Sir Keir Starmer – who has recently moved his rescue cat Jo Jo in/
Larry’s journey at the famous address began in 2011 when he was adopted from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, initially as a pet for Cameron’s children.
Over time, however, the brown and white tabby has become synonymous with Number 10, not only for his mousing skills but also for his endearing antics, tense stand-offs with four-legged rivals and occasional brushes with international stardom.
As the 17-year-moggy now faces the challenges of old age, including a battle with arthritis, Downing Street officials have begun quietly preparing for his eventual passing.
While his funeral plans remain shrouded in mystery, there’s no doubt that Larry’s legacy will be honoured in a manner befitting his long and distinguished service.
FEMAIL has compiled a tribute to Number 10’s longest reigning ruler and looks back at Larry the Cat’s most most hilarious and famous moments.
Known affectionately as ‘Chief Mouser,’ Downing Street ‘s most beloved resident Larry may not rule over the country, but he certainly rules over the nation’s hearts
1. Meeting Barack Obama
During a state visit to London in 2011, former U.S. President Barack Obama took time out to meet Larry, then just four years old.
Photos show the then US President and his wife Michelle meeting the Queen, David Beckham – and Larry himself.
In another photo former Prime Minister David Cameron looks on as the the former President, his shirt sleeves turned up, strokes the feline.
While Larry acted a bit shy during the meeting, Obama openly expressed his admiration for his own pet dog Bo’s across-the-pond counterpart.
During a state visit to London in 2011, former U.S. President Barack Obama took time out to meet Larry, then just four years old
2. Photobombing news broadcast
In November 2018, Larry made headlines when he photobombed a live Sky News broadcast, demanding to be let back inside Number 10.
The amusing spectacle of a police officer knocking on the famous black door – since it can’t be opened from the outside – was a perfect example of Larry’s knack for stealing the show.
A member of No10 staff had to come and open it from the inside, allowing Larry to slip back in to the warmth.
In November 2018, Larry made headlines when he photobombed a live Sky News broadcast, demanding to be let back inside Number 10
Larry was eventually let in by a Downing House staff member
3. Upstaging Theresa May’s speech
As reporters gathered outside Number 10 for Theresa May’s resignation speech in May 2019, Larry was spotted sunbathing and patrolling the premises.
Before May could announce her departure, Larry was gently scooped up by a staffer, but not before ensuring that all eyes were momentarily on him, rather than the outgoing Prime Minister.
As reporters gathered outside Number 10 for Theresa May’s resignation speech in May 2019, Larry was spotted sunbathing and patrolling the premises
4. Starring in an advert
Larry’s star power was recognised when he was cast in a 2023 advert by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home.
The campaign aimed to raise awareness about microchipping pets, a cause Larry personally endorsed by appearing on screen, reminding pet owners of the upcoming legal requirements.
In the video that’s was shared to X (Twitter) for International Cat Day by the Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), we see two members of the Battersea team knock on the door of number 10 and ask to see Larry.
A voice then says ‘excellent, come inside’ and we see the much-loved cat getting some fuss from the team.
‘Hi Larry, we’ve just come to check your details – are you up to date with your chip?’ they ask.
After checking that he’s microchipped and even giving him a cheeky treat, the team explain that the law is changing and from June 2024, all cats will need a microchip.
A microchip is a tiny device inserted under the skin of your pet which contains a unique code that links your pet to you through an online database
5. Larry takes on a fox
In 2022, Larry the Cat came to blows in a fierce scrap with a fox on Downing Street before intimidating it into vanishing into the distance.
The tense encounter between the Downing Street Chief Mouser and the urban fox saw the two hostile animals clash as they fought for territory outside the Prime Minister’s house.
Despite being around half the size of the fox, the 17-year-old tabby was able to force his counterpart into retreating into nearby bushes.
But things didn’t stop there. The famous cat made it clear that the fox is not welcome on Downing Street as it darts towards its rival who does well to dodge out the way.
The persistent cat once again had another bite of the cherry, spinning around and this time chasing the fox back out the bushes along the iconic London road.
In 2022, Larry the Cat came to blows in a fierce scrap with a fox on Downing Street before intimidating it into vanishing into the distance
Despite being around half the size of the fox, the 17-year-old tabby was able to force his counterpart into retreating into nearby bushes
The persistent cat once again had another bite of the cherry, spinning around and this time chasing the fox back out the bushes along the iconic London road
6. Larry botches attempt to catch pigeon
In 2020, Larry caught the attention of politics watchers awaiting an update on the post-Brexit trade deal as he pounced on a pigeon outside Downing Street.
The tabby stalked the bird outside the Prime Minister’s official residence as members of the Press – who were waiting to hear from Boris Johnson – watched on with their cameras poised.
Despite Larry catching his unsuspecting victim, the pigeon managed to fly off seemingly unharmed after a brief scuffle.
In 2020, Larry caught the attention of politics watchers awaiting an update on the post-Brexit trade deal as he pounced on a pigeon outside Downing Street
Despite Larry catching his unsuspecting victim, the pigeon managed to fly off seemingly unharmed after a brief scuffle
7. Larry scraps with rival Foreign Office cat
The feisty feline feud between the pets of Westminster intensified in 2016 as Larry squared off with his arch-nemesis Palmerston, who belonged to staff at the Foreign Office.
In August 2016, Larry was seen exchanging vicious blows with Palmerston on the steps outside No10 during the latest bout in their ongoing war.
The scuffle saw Larry, a brown and white tabby, suffer a bite to the face as his acrobatic rival leapt into action, with Palmerston following his rapid attack with a swiping paw to the face.
Such was the ferocity of the clash that Larry lost his purple collar in the process, with Palmerston suffering a number of deep scratches from his Westminster rival.
Larry was also seen thrown on his back and his collar swiped off during the clash as Palmerston ended the bout on top.
The feisty feline feud between the pets of Westminster intensified in 2016 as Larry squared off with his arch-nemesis Palmerston
8. Larry’s bitter feud with George Osborne’s cat
Larry previously had competition from George Osborne’s cat Freya, with the two frequently spotted fighting on the pavement in Downing Street.
Larry, the Prime Minister’s moggy, and Freya, who lived next door with Chancellor George Osborne, clashed outside Number 10 in 2012, just feet away from police officers.
The fight had to be broken up by officers and Larry was then ordered indoors in an attempt to stop the fur fight.
Freya moved with the Osbornes from their Notting Hill home to Number 11 and had taken over most of Larry’s mousing duties.
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The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘I am not going to get into commenting on the adventures of our feline friends in Downing Street.’
Asked about how well the felines get on, the spokesman added: ‘They co-exist.’
Larry, the Prime Minister’s moggy, and Freya, who lived next door with Chancellor George Osborne, clashed outside Number 10 in 2012, just feet away from police officers
