Larry's official royal portrait from 2016.[/caption]
Three cheers for Larry the Cat! The official Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, Larry, is 10 Downing Street’s most stable fixture, having served for 15 years since 2011. Larry, a stray cat born around January 2007, was adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2011. He arrived at No. 10 as a pet for Cameron’s children. Like all prime ministers, Cameron shirked responsibility, leaving Larry in the care of staff when he resigned.
He is the first cat officially given the title and considered a good “ratter” having seen off five prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and the incumbent, Sir Keir Starmer, whose days are now numbered, will surely make six.
His duties include rodent control, greeting guests, conducting security inspections, and ensuring the antique furniture remains comfy for sleeping.
Calls are growing among the grateful British public for Larry the Cat to be awarded a knighthood. Several grassroots campaigns, including Change.org petitions, champion both Larry’s claws and cause. Indeed, “Sir Larry” has a noble ring to it, don’t you think?