Larry the Cat: Downing Street prepares plans for announcing death of Chief Mouser

A detailed plan fit for a royal has been drawn up for the death of Downing Street’s most beloved — and constant — resident, Larry the Cat, it’s been revealed.

Officials at Downing Street have drawn up plans for when its most constant resident — the beloved tabby Larry the Cat — finally runs out his nine lives.

Preparations have been put in place for how the death of the feline will be announced under a plan named “Larry Bridges”, a cheeky reference to the code names given to the procedures for royal deaths.

The plan for the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II was known as Operation London Bridge, while King Charles’s plan is referred to as Operation Menai Bridge, after a crossing in Wales.

Plans have been drawn up for the death of Downing Street’s legendary feline, Larry the Cat. Picture: AFP

The 17-year-old Larry has been the one consistent presence at Number 10, seeing out six prime minister during his time as “chief mouser”.

Adopted from the famed Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in 2011, Larry was originally meant to be the pet for the children of former British prime minister David Cameron.

But when they moved out, Larry the Cat stayed put and ended up becoming a permanent fixture as Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak passed through the revolving door of Number 10 under his withering gaze.

Larry sits outside the front door of 10 Downing Street. Picture: AFP

Larry the Cat walks into Downing Street following Labour's landslide election victory in July. Picture: Getty Images

Photos of Larry have been selected to be released upon news of his death and a press release and graphics have also been drafted up.

The images have been stored in Downing Street’s IT system as part of the plan to inform the public, The Times reports.

Larry the Cat has become an icon since he moved to Downing Street. Picture: AFP

Larry famously threw shade at former British PM Liz Truss. Picture: AFP

A government insider told The Times that the “Larry Bridges” plan had been drawn up for “the announcement of his death to the world”.

A social media plan has also been drafted for the day when Larry is no longer with us.

Larry has at times had volatile relationships with other government cats, including the Foreign Office’s feline Palmerston.

He also gave former PM Liz Truss the cold shoulder as she tried to pat him when she greeted Danish prime minster Mette Frederiksen at Downing Street’s famous black door.

Since Sir Keir Starmer was elected, Larry has been joined at Downing Street by the Labour leader’s rescue cat, JoJo.

Originally published as Larry the Cat: Downing Street prepares plans for announcing death of Chief Mouser