Larry the cat has returned to his post at Downing Street following an emergency operation to remove a cyst. the 19-year-old tabby, who has held his position for 16 years, was seen with shaved fur as he resumed his duties in London.
Chasing the 1947 record set by Peter III
Larry is currently in his 16th year as the resident mouser at No. 10 Downing Street. According to the report, the tabby is just two years away from potentially becoming the longest-serving chief mouser in British history. He is currently chasing the record set by Peter III, who occupied the residence from 1947 until 1964.
The role itself is a long-standing tradition, with the position of chief mouser having been established as far back as the 1920s. Since being headhunted from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, Larry has provided a sense of continuity through seven different prime ministers.
A shaved coat and a skirmish with a guide dog
Following his recent emergency surgery, Larry appeared at his post with visible signs of recovery, including a large scar and shaveed fur. Despite these physical changes, the veteran cat showed no signs of slowing down, even engaging in a brief run-in with a guide dog upon his return to London.
While no harm was reported during the encounter, the incident was noted by a parody account on X, which joked about the cat's new scar. This return to duty comes after a period of medical uncertainty regarding the cyst that required immediate surgical intervention. Larry has often provided moments of light relief amid the stormy political news of the last 15 years, often seen lounging on the steps of No. 10.
From Barack Obama to Ian Murray's 'miserable' critique
Larry's tenure has been marked by interactions with some of the world's most powerful figures,including former US President Barack Obama. As the report notes, Lord Cameron observed that while Larry was not always keen on men, he managed to gel well with the former American leader. The cat's presence has even been noted in high-level diplomatic photography, such as a shot of Baroness May with US President Donald Trump, where Larry can be seen observing from a windowsill.
However, his presence has not always been met with universal praise from political figures. culture minister Ian Murray famously described the cat as a "little s***" during a dinner in Glasgow, calling him the "most miserable animal" he had ever met. Similarly, Akshata Murty, wife of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, recalled "heated exchanges" between Larry and her family's Labrador puppy, Nova.
Will Manchester's No10 North adopt a new feline?
As Larry continues his service in London, questions remain about the expansion of the role to other officiaal residences. The Prime Minister is reportedly considering whether to adopt a cat for the newly opened No10 North in Manchester.
There is also curiosity regarding how the current administration's pets will integrate with the veteran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously noted the need to keep his family's Siberian kitten,Prince, away from Larry to ensure a peaceful coexistence. Whether the Manchester office will follow the London model remains an open question.
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