A new furry companion has arrived at the office of the UK Prime Minister – a Siberian cat named Prince. This adorable feline is now part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s family. It is a tradition for incoming prime ministers to bring their pets with them when they move into 10 Downing Street.
Recently, a photo shared on X (formerly Twitter) captured the fluffy kitten sitting on Starmer’s desk, playfully pawing at paperwork. It is unclear whether the name Prince is a tribute to British royalty or the legendary singer. According to reports, while introducing the new feline addition to his official residence, Starmer shared that getting the kitten came after “long negotiations” with his children.
They had originally been asking for a dog after the family moved into their new London home. “This is a big move for them, and negotiating for a fantastic kitten called Prince was part of the deal,” he said. Breaking – first picture of Keir Starmer with his new cat!No update yet on how Larry is taking it.
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twitter.com/7HznOzZcdj — Kate Ferguson (@kateferguson4) September 21, 2024 Prince is now the third feline resident at Downing Street, joining Starmer’s family, who already have a rescued cat named JoJo. In addition to these two, the Prime Minister’s home also houses Larry, the internet-famous “Chief Mouser” of Downing Street.
Larry, who arrived in 2011, has become one of the most enduring figures at the PM’s residence, outlasting five prime ministers over the last 14 years. His long tenure has earned him recognition from the media and the public. With Prince’s arrival, there has been speculation surrounding Larry’s advancing age and the possibility of his passing.
Some reports suggest that plans have already been discussed for how Downing Street would handle the announcement of the famous feline’s death. However, Larry doesn’t seem ready to give up his position just yet. Responding to a photo of Starmer with Prince, Larry’s X account humorously quipped, “My position as best looking cat on Downing Street remains unchallenged,” making it clear that he is still holding onto his title.
Take a look here: My position as best looking cat on Downing Street remains unchallenged https://t.co/UTKM157c3P — Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) September 22, 2024 Over the years, Downing Street has hosted a variety of pets. Recently, during Rishi Sunak’s tenure, the Sunak family brought in Nova, a Fox Red Labrador.
Nova took over the title of Britain’s top dog from Dilyn, a Jack Russell previously adopted by Boris and Carrie Johnson. Sir Winston Churchill famously had two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, along with a poodle named Rufus, who kept him company throughout his tenure..
