Larry the cat has survived five prime ministers.

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Prime Ministers come, Prime Ministers go, but Larry the Cat remains. The former Iron Cat now welcomes his sixth owner to 10 Downing Street.

When the new British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, settles into the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street, he gets a pet into the bargain. And “Larry the Cat” is more than just a cat. Not only is he the one keeping his residence free of mice and other rodents, he’s also a frequently photographed celebrity with 843,000 followers on X.

Grey and white Larry came to 10 Downing Street from a home for stray cats in 2011. In his 13 years, he has served under prime ministers David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. His official title is First Mouser in Downing Street.

According to British media, Larry is known to be a docile cat, waiting politely outside the polished door of the Prime Minister's residence until a guard lets him in. It remains to be seen whether he will interact peacefully with the Starmers' own cat, Jojo, who is also set to move into 10 Downing Street.