LONDON (AP) – In these turbulent political times, the presence of a feline friend offers a unique sense of stability. Larry the cat, who serves as the British government's official rodent-catcher, is celebrating 15 years this Sunday. Having provided solace and support to several leaders, Larry has become an unofficial first feline, embodying a comforting presence amidst the often chaotic political landscape of the United Kingdom. Remarkably, he has served under six prime ministers, and, in a whimsical twist, it sometimes appears that they have served under him.

Professor Philip Howell, a Cambridge University academic specializing in human-animal relations, mentioned, “Larry the cat's approval ratings will be very high. And prime ministers tend not to hit those numbers.” He further emphasized Larry’s role as a symbol of stability, a quality that is particularly valued during uncertain times.

The story of Larry the tabby cat is one of transformation; he transitioned from being a stray on the streets of London to occupying a prestigious position at 10 Downing St., the Prime Minister's residence. He was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home by former Prime Minister David Cameron and took up his post as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office on February 15, 2011. Despite his unique duties, which include welcoming guests, inspecting security measures, and testing furniture for optimal napping conditions, it is Larry’s personality that truly shines.

Known for his photogenic tendencies, Larry often steals the spotlight from world leaders visiting the iconic black door of Downing Street, delighting photographers and the public. “He’s great at photo-bombing,” said Justin Ng, a freelance photographer familiar with Larry. The cat has befriended many world leaders, avoiding interaction with some, but notably taking a liking to Barack Obama, and eliciting smiles from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit.

During Donald Trump’s visit in 2019, Larry famously disrupted the official photo session, opting instead for a nap beneath the president’s armored vehicle, affectionately known as “the Beast.” While reports of Larry’s effectiveness as a rodent-catcher are mixed, he has been seen capturing the occasional mouse or even a pigeon, although the latter managed to escape.

Justin Ng described Larry as more of a lover than a fighter. “He’s very good at what he does: lounging around and showing people that he’s quite nonchalant,” said Ng. Throughout his tenure at Downing Street, Larry has had to coexist with various prime ministerial pets. His relationship with Boris Johnson's Jack Russell cross, Dilyn, and Rishi Sunak's Labrador retriever, Nova, has been described as sometimes uneasy. Presently, he maintains a safe distance from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s family cats, JoJo and Prince, who reside in the private quarters of Downing Street while Larry patrols the workspaces.

Larry had a well-publicized rivalry with Palmerston, the diplomatic cat from the nearby Foreign Office. The two cats were known for their occasional tussles until Palmerston’s retirement in 2020, and Palmerston’s subsequent passing earlier this month in Bermuda, where he had taken on the role of “feline relations consultant.” Despite showing signs of age, with Larry now estimated to be 18 or 19 years old, he continues to assert his presence around Downing Street, often seen lounging on a warm window ledge just inside the front door.

Larry represents a unique cultural icon of British soft power, and his removal by any future prime minister could well be seen as a political misstep. Professor Howell expressed the sentiment that “a cat-hating PM would be political suicide.” Larry’s nonpartisan status as the official pet of the government distinguishes him from their American counterparts, often dogs, which are sometimes used to enhance the public image of U.S. leaders.

Howell notes that the charm of cats derives from their inherently unpredictable nature: “He’s whimsically non-partisan in a political sense but tends to take to some people and not to others,” he explained. “There is a certain kind of unruliness about Larry which I think would endear him, certainly, to Brits.”