Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto’s fondness for cats is well-known, and his recent trip to the United Kingdom offered a charming cross-cultural feline encounter. While at home in Indonesia, Prabowo shares affection with his cat, Bobby, in London, he received a welcoming committee of a different sort: Larry the Cat, the resident of 10 Downing Street.
A Presidential Welcome from an Unlikely Host
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The Indonesian President’s meeting with Larry the Cat at the British Prime Minister’s residence captured a lighthearted moment during official talks.
- President Prabowo Subianto met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
- Larry the Cat, the official resident cat of 10 Downing Street, greeted Prabowo upon his arrival.
- This wasn’t Prabowo’s first encounter with Larry, having previously met the feline in November 2024.
- Larry has held a ‘special position’ at the British PM’s official residence since 2011, serving as chief mouse hunter.
The unique interaction between Prabowo and Larry unfolded as the President arrived for a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer at Number 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Larry was already positioned at the gate, appearing to extend a furry welcome to the visiting dignitary.
As Prabowo and Starmer engaged in a brief conversation at the gate, Larry strolled into the scene, seemingly joining their discussion. The gray and white cat freely roamed Downing Street, unfazed by the diplomatic proceedings. Starmer even pointed towards Larry, as if introducing him to Prabowo.
A Repeat Performance
This wasn’t the first time Prabowo and Larry crossed paths. A similar moment occurred during a visit to Downing Street in November 2024. Prabowo shared the encounter on his personal Instagram account (@prabowo), posting a photo of himself petting Larry’s head and stomach. “Meeting Larry the cat at 10 Downing Street. London, United Kingdom (Meeting Larry the cat at 10 Downing Street. London, England),” he captioned the post on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Who is Larry the Cat?
Larry is a domestic cat adopted by staff at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2011 as a pet for then-Prime Minister David Cameron’s family. At the end of Cameron’s tenure in 2016, he declared Larry a ‘civil servant,’ ensuring the feline would remain at 10 Downing Street. Larry holds a ‘special position’ as the chief mouse hunter at the British Prime Minister’s official residence, a role he’s maintained through successive administrations.
