President Prabowo “Welcomed” by Larry the Cat at Downing Street

Larry the Cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, welcomes President Prabowo at the British Prime Minister’s Office, Downing Street, London city, on Tuesday (01/20).

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was welcomed by Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the British PM’s Office, Downing Street, London city, on Tuesday, (01/20). The visit took on a lighter tone when Larry the Cat, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, appeared at the entrance “to greet” the Indonesian leader.

Larry, a domestic cat who has resided at Downing Street since 2011, was originally adopted by the British Prime Minister’s Office staff during the tenure of former Prime Minister David Cameron. In 2016, Cameron famously declared Larry as a “civil servant”, a status that has allowed him to remain at the Prime Minister’s Office ever since.

The unexpected appearance of Larry later became a topic of conversation during President Prabowo’s meeting with leaders from several British universities. “They thought you might bring your own cat, Bobby. But instead, you met Larry,” said Sir Steve Smith, the UK Government International Education Champion.

“I saw him, but [I do not think] he really saw me,” replied President Prabowo in humorous tone.

Larry’s presence added a distinctive moment to President Prabowo’s visit at Downing Street. The presence of the “permanent resident” offered a glimpse of cordial atmosphere amid the diplomatic talks between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (NST/AW)