Larry, The Downing Street Cat: R.I.P old friend [View all]

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

It is with a heavy — and I do mean heavy — heart that I report the passing of Palmerston, former Chief Mouser to the Foreign Office and part-time international celebrity.

Palmerston, as some of you will know, began life at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home — an institution of refinement and good breeding from which, coincidentally, I also hail. The similarities, however, largely end there. While I have maintained a tireless commitment to public service, Palmerston opted for retirement in 2020 after a mere four years in post. Four. I’ve had scratching posts that lasted longer. One hesitates to use the word “slacker,” but if the cat basket fits.

Then, just as we had all adjusted to a Palmerston-free diplomatic landscape, his social media account announced in February last year that he had been coaxed out of retirement for an overseas posting. Bermuda. Bermuda! Some of us spent years patrolling draughty corridors in Westminster and never once saw “sun-drenched Atlantic paradise” listed under internal vacancies.

A black-and-white cat of notable composure, he was named after Viscount Palmerston, which rather set the tone. One doesn’t get called Viscount Anything without developing a certain swagger.

There were persistent rumours of a long-running feud between us. I feel compelled, in the interests of historical accuracy, to state that this is entirely overblown. I harboured no ill will. Professional rivalry? Certainly. Territorial clarity? Absolutely. But a feud? No. Still, I cannot deny that when he chose retirement, it did leave Downing Street and Westminster very clearly as my patch — and I have patrolled it diligently ever since.

So farewell, Palmerston — diplomat, globetrotter, part-time beach lounger.

RIP, old friend.