Larry the Cat: The Apolitical Buzzard Ruling Downing street
At the end of each year, rankings emerge for the most influential leaders and successful countries. For 2025, “Forbes” named European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the most influential woman, followed by Christine Lagarde, Sanae Takaichi, and Giorgia Meloni. “Politico” identified Donald Trump as the most influential figure in Europe, “Time” chose “Architects of artificial intelligence” as Person of the Year, and “The Economist” lauded Portugal’s economic achievements.
However, 2025 also saw several animals – real and fictional – capture the media’s attention, becoming the planet’s most influential creatures. Among them: cats, a wolf, a dolphin, and a seagull.
London played host to state visits from the leaders of the US, France, and Germany, and co-chaired the “Coalition of the Willing” alongside Paris, supporting Ukraine and considering future security guarantees. This made British Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s Downing Street a hub for important meetings. And for years, it hasn’t just been the prime minister ruling there, but also Larry the cat.
larry frequently found himself in the camera’s view during these events, often entirely ignoring high-ranking guests like the Presidents of France and Ukraine. Despite the seriousness of the meetings, foreign leaders often glanced at the cat, exchanging joking comments with Starmer about him.
Born around 2007 and adopted from a stray animal shelter by David Cameron’s children, Larry was later appointed Chief Buzzard of the British Prime Minister’s Office. He served under Conservative prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, remaining in his post when Labor’s Keir Starmer won the 2024 election, earning a reputation for being apolitical.
Two years ago, reports surfaced about Larry’s declining health, and last year, the Prime Minister’s Office considered how to announce his passing.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Larry the buzzard. Photo: AR/BTA
Celebrity Cats and Cinematic Felines: A Purr-fect Trend
Taylor Swift’s Ragdoll cats – Meredith Gray, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button – have become household names since joining the singer’s family in 2011, 2014, and 2019, respectively. Named after beloved fictional characters, the cats frequently appear in photoshoots with Swift, and Olivia Benson’s estimated $97 million fortune has recently garnered meaningful media attention.
Swift’s affection for cats even extended to her support of Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign, drawing criticism from some American Republicans who suggested she should focus on family instead.
Looking ahead, the feline interest is set to continue on the big screen. Pixar’s upcoming animated film,”Gatto” (Italian for “cat”),scheduled for release in 2027,centers on Nero,a black cat embroiled in a struggle for survival against the Venetian mafia.Directed by Oscar-nominated Enrico Casarosa, the film promises a visually stunning aesthetic inspired by Venetian art.
the success of feline-focused animation isn’t new. Last year, the dialog-free “Flood,” a collaborative production from Latvia, France, and Belgium, won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for its poignant story of a cat navigating a world consumed by rising waters.
This year, a French cartoon wolf has also captured public attention, starring in Intermarche’s heartwarming Christmas advertisement, “The Unloved One,” which tells the story of a misunderstood wolf seeking acceptance.
A Dolphin, a Seal, and the Soul of Venice
The presence of a dolphin named Nane in the Venetian lagoon has sparked a interesting conversation, drawing comparisons from playful to poignant.Some likened the dolphin to tourists flocking to Venice, while others saw it as another attraction contributing to the city’s well-documented overtourism.Still others interpreted Nane’s persistence in the lagoon as an allegory for native Venetians, choosing to remain in their hometown despite rising costs and the city’s change into a living, breathing theme park.
[Image of dolphin in Venetian lagoon with photo credit: Photo: AR/BTA]
City authorities attempted to guide Nane away from the busy shipping lanes, concerned for her safety, but the resilient creature repeatedly returned. Recently, a Mediterranean monk seal also appeared in the lagoon. Unlike Nane, this seal has remained more elusive, avoiding the crowded areas. However,it hasn’t escaped the attention – or the humor – of the public. Online,images have surfaced depicting the seal holding a sign proclaiming,”My name is Bernarda,” a preemptive attempt to avoid being dubbed “Mima” or “Nana” by the media and locals,mirroring the dolphin’s moniker.
Related reading