Full Breakdown
Larry the Cat Greets New Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street
7/21/2026, 8:35:34 AM
Core Event
On 21 July 2026, Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield, arrived at 10 Downing Street after formally accepting King Charles III’s invitation to form a government. The arrival was marked by the presence of Larry, the 19-year-old Chief Mouser, who has served under seven prime ministers since his adoption from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011. Larry’s role remains symbolic, offering a light-hearted focal point for media coverage of the transition.
Background & Context
Larry’s tenure began during David Cameron’s premiership, originally intended as a pet for the Cameron children. Over 15 years he has become a “beloved fixture of British public life,” appearing in photographs with leaders such as Barack Obama and Donald Trump. The cat’s duties—primarily rodent control—have been “disputed,” and he has a history of clashes with other government cats, including Palmerston of the Foreign Office and Freya, former chancellor George Osborne’s cat.
Key Figures & Interactions
- Andy Burnham – New prime minister, welcomed by Larry at the iconic front steps.
- Sir Keir Starmer – Predecessor who in February 2025 kept his family’s kitten Prince away from Larry, fearing the mouser “doesn’t like him.”
- Lord Cameron – Commented that Larry is “not very keen on men” yet noted the cat’s amicable greeting of President Barack Obama.
- Akshata Murty – Wife of former prime minister Rishi Sunak, recalled “heated exchanges” between Larry and the Sunak family’s Labrador Nova, with the cat “always having ‘come out on top’.”
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister-designate Burnham made no direct comment on Larry’s presence, but Downing Street’s press office highlighted the cat’s continued “role in providing light relief during tumultuous political moments.” The Royal Household confirmed King Charles III’s invitation to Burnham, underscoring the constitutional process that brings a new leader to office.
Verbatim Quotes
- “doesn’t like him” — Sir Keir Starmer, former prime minister
- “not very keen on men” — Lord Cameron, former cabinet minister
Larry’s appearance underscores the enduring blend of tradition and public spectacle that accompanies every change of government in the United Kingdom.
