5 fascinating facts about the British government's laziest cat

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Back in the days of King Henry VIII, the tradition of the court mouse-cats appeared. The ancient buildings of London were filled with hordes of mice and rats, and court favorites, especially those who distinguished themselves in the field of destroying this scourge, were promoted in ranks and ranks. At the moment, the main cat of the British Crown is the favorite of the public, Larry, who refuses to catch mice.

Downing Street 10 is probably the most famous address in London. This historic building has been the residence of the Prime Minister of Great Britain for 280 years. And practically all this time the cat-rat catchers live in the building.

One of the most famous British cats these days is Larry, a gray-brown-white favorite of the Prime Minister. “Larry spends his days welcoming guests into the house, checking security, testing antique furniture for quality,” says the UK government website … “His day-to-day responsibilities also include considering the decision to drive the mice out of the house. Larry says the issue is still "in the tactical planning stage."

Here are five more interesting facts about this famous cat:

1. PM chose Larry because of his reputation as a ferocious rat-catcher

David Cameron took Larry in February 2011 from a cat and dog shelter to fight a rat infestation. The 4-year-old tailed beast was known as a "good rat-catcher" and Downing Street officials told the BBC that Larry had "good qualities and a hunting instinct." Larry later became one of four cats to receive the official title of Chief Mouser of the Government House.

2. Larry is an expert in maintaining special relationships

David Cameron introduced the cat to Larry to Barack Obama when the US President visited London in June 2011. The prime minister told the BBC that Larry, who is known for being hostile to men, got along well with Obama.

3. Larry once attacked a live TV reporter

Larry the cat fully fulfilled Downing Street's desire to show the press its place when he cold-bloodedly scratched the hand of television journalist Lucy Manning. The reporter tried to record a report on Downing Street with Larry on his knees, although he had no desire to do so.

4. Larry tried to disrupt Kevin Spacey's photo shoot

Even at special events, Larry's cat manages to draw the attention of the public to himself. Once during the awarding ceremony of the American actor Kevin Spacey with the British Prime Minister, Larry, as if nothing had happened, wandered in front of the cameras until the officials managed to remove him.

5. Larry's laziness made the prime minister throw a silver fork at the mouse

Prime Minister David Cameron threw a silver fork at a mouse that wandered into a meeting with the head of government. Larry was heavily criticized for failing to catch rodents. He prefers to sleep rather than fulfill his duties.

Larry the Cat is a part of the history and traditions of the United Kingdom, no less important than the Tower of Crows or animal mascots of military regiments and warships.