PM Starmer Welcomes New Feline Resident to Downing Street

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has introduced a new feline resident to Downing Street. Prince, a Siberian kitten, has joined the household, as revealed in a recently released photograph. The image shows the small kitten perched on the Prime Minister's desk, its paws resting on official paperwork.

The addition of Prince to the Starmer family came after extensive discussions with the Prime Minister's children. Initially, there was a desire for a German Shepherd if the family moved to No 10. However, a compromise was reached, resulting in the decision to adopt a kitten instead.

"We are now getting a kitten instead of a dog. And this is an agreement after long negotiations – I said we'd get in the room and sort it out."

Prince joins two other felines already residing in Downing Street. Larry, who has held the position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office since 2011, continues his long-standing role. Additionally, Jojo, a rescue cat that the Starmer family had prior to the election, also calls Downing Street home.

The presence of pets in the official residence presents unique challenges. Starmer mentioned the difficulty of installing a cat flap in the bomb-proof door of the flat. Despite this, the family decided to proceed with adopting Prince, reasoning that accommodating two cats would not be significantly more challenging than one.

Downing Street has a rich history of hosting various pets. During Rishi Sunak's tenure, Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, was a resident. Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie had Dilyn, an adopted Jack Russell. Interestingly, Liz Truss reported that Dilyn had caused a flea infestation in the No 11 flat, leading to several uncomfortable weeks for her upon moving in during 2022.

The tradition of keeping cats in Downing Street dates back to the 1500s, with the official position of Chief Mouser established in 1929. Larry, the current Chief Mouser, has served under five Prime Ministers and has become a public figure with his own unofficial Twitter account boasting over 800,000 followers.

While the Chief Mouser's primary duty is rodent control, the role has evolved to include public relations aspects. These feline residents are cared for by Downing Street staff, with their food and veterinary expenses covered by the staff rather than public funds.

As Prince settles into his new home, he becomes part of a long-standing tradition of pets in the corridors of power, adding a touch of domesticity to the official residence of the UK's Prime Minister.