It’s the rise of diplocats! This holiday season, No. 10 Downing Street — the official residence of the British prime minister — gets two new furry residents.
Larry, the chief mouser to the UK’s Cabinet Office, is no longer the only sheriff in town.
Evie and Ossie joined the brown and white tabby cat today.
The breaking news came from the UK’s official cabinet office Twitter account.
The new members sure are patriotic, with names that honor No. 10’s history.
Ossie pays homage to Sir Edward Osmotherly, who drafted important rules for civil servants.
While Evie, the first female cat to make it to Downing, is named after Dame Evelyn Sharp, the first lady to become permanent secretary, a top senior position in the British government.
They’re big names to live up to, but Larry – often seen lazing around the door of No.10 – doesn’t seem worried.
No dethroning Larry
The British public loves Larry. The nation breathed in relief when it learned Larry wouldn’t be evicted from No.10 after former British Prime Minister David Cameron resigned.
“It’s a civil servant’s cat and does not belong to the Camerons — he will be staying,” said a government spokesman at the time.
“He is the first cat at Number 10 to be bestowed with the official title Chief Mouser,” reads the official UK government website, in an entire page dedicated to the cat.
Larry spends time being photographed by journalists and tourists, and testing furniture for napping quality. In return, the British nation sends daily treats.
There has been no news from Larry’s largest unofficial Twitter account. But close to 100,000 people are following for updates.