Andy Burnham took office on Monday as prime minister of the United Kingdom, replacing the Labour Party’s former leader, Keir Starmer, who resigned last month.
Burnham became the U.K.’s 7th prime minister in a decade. Under the British parliamentary system, voters elect a party to govern, not a specific leader, which is why a change in leader doesn’t require a national election.
As prime ministers have come and gone, one resident at 10 Downing Street has remained constant over the past 15 years — Larry the Cat, the unbothered Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and he was initially intended as a pet for the children and wife of then-Prime Minister David Cameron. He became Chief Mouser after Downing Street staff observed his superior rodent-hunting skills.
The 19-year-old tabby cat has remained a constant figure behind the black door, outlasting six prime ministers, including Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and, of course, Cameron.
His tenure has earned him a reputation as one of the most enduring figures in British politics. Larry has over 900,000 followers on an unofficial X account run by an anonymous user. There’s even a petition calling for Larry’s honorary knighthood.
Outside of catching rodents, Larry is often seen mingling with local children, the press and U.S. presidents. See highlights from his 15 years in office below.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer laugh at Larry the Cat as they walk out for a photo at 10 Downing Street on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
(Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rishi Sunak arrives to make a statement outside of 10 Downing Street after being appointed prime minister on Oct. 25, 2022.
(Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Larry the Cat looks on as Prime Minister Liz Truss comes out to greet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outside 10 Downing Street in central London on Oct. 1, 2022.
(JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street to make a statement at Parliament as Larry the cat walks past on Jan. 31, 2022.
(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Prime Minister Theresa May and husband Philip May welcome President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to 10 Downing Street as Larry the Cat sits on the window ledge, June 4, 2019.
(Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Larry is seen sunning himself outside 10 Downing St. on July 10, 2019.
(Luke Dray/Getty Images)
School children meet Larry on Aug. 30, 2019.
(Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Prime Minister David Cameron introduces President Barack Obama to Larry on May 25, 2011.
(HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A police officer carries Larry on June 9, 2011.
(CARL COURT/AFP via Getty Images))
Larry, the Downing Street cat, on April 28, 2011, in London, England.
(James Glossop – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
