Larry the Cat Welcomes Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Downing Street
Larry the Cat greeted Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street as officials left instructions to care for and feed the long-serving mouser twice daily.
Larry the Cat, Downing Street’s long-serving mouser, was pictured meeting Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the new leader prepared to take up residence at Number 10. The encounter, captured and shared on Larry’s official X account, included a written note advising that the cat’s food bowl is kept in the Cabinet Room and that he must be fed at least twice a day. The light-hearted moment followed Burnham’s confirmation as leader and the expected handover of responsibilities in the coming days.
Downing Street’s Long-Serving Mouser Meets the New Prime Minister
Larry’s appearance alongside Andy Burnham provided a human touch to the formal transition of power at Downing Street. Photographs posted on social media showed the pair in a brief, symbolic meeting that blended tradition with the routines of the official residence. The notice left for Burnham underlined practical household expectations as well as the ceremonial role the cat plays in government life.
‘Feed Twice Daily’ Notice Placed in the Cabinet Room
The brief instruction left for the incoming prime minister specified that Larry’s feeding tray is located in the Cabinet Room and that he should be fed at least twice daily. The message was shared publicly with accompanying images, prompting a warm response from observers who noted the continuity of small domestic duties amid political change. Such guidance reflects the informal but established household arrangements new occupants inherit when moving into Number 10.
A Tradition Stretching Back Centuries
Cats have been associated with British government residences for centuries, serving as mousers while also becoming fixtures of public lore. The role gained official recognition in 1929 when the post began to receive an annual stipend — a symbolic allowance that underlines the office’s historical continuity. For many, the presence of a resident cat at Downing Street symbolizes a link between the practical need to control pests and the continuity of the state.
Notable Predecessors and Public Profiles
Larry is one in a line of famous Downing Street felines whose personalities and stories have attracted media attention. Among his most notable predecessors was Humphrey, who served as a mouser during the tenures of Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair and became a well-known public figure before his death in 2008. Such animals often become informal ambassadors of the residence, attracting public affection and sometimes playful commentary on political shifts.
Larry’s Tenure and Public Role Since 2011
Adopted from a shelter, Larry has been a fixture at the prime minister’s residence since 2011 and has seen multiple administrations come and go. His long service has given him an uncommon continuity compared with the frequent turnover of political leadership, and his social media presence has amplified his role as a light-hearted constant at the heart of government. That visibility makes instructions about his care both a practical housekeeping note and a public-relations moment for incoming officeholders.
Transition Day Formalities and Household Briefings
The handover of prime ministerial duties typically includes a mix of constitutional, security and domestic briefings, and the note about Larry’s feeding schedule falls into the latter category. New prime ministers are routinely briefed on household arrangements, ceremonial pets and the upkeep of official residences as part of their orientation. The publicly shared images of Burnham receiving the feline-related instruction highlighted how even mundane details can become part of the broader narrative surrounding a transition of power.
As Andy Burnham prepared to move into Number 10, the exchange with Larry the Cat served as a reminder that leadership change combines weighty political responsibilities with everyday domestic realities. The sight of the new prime minister being introduced to the residence’s most persistent resident offered a moment of levity and continuity, underscoring how traditions both large and small persist at the centre of British government.