Chief mouser Palmerston dies after retiring in Bermuda – and Larry the Cat leads tributes
Palmerston, a Battersea rescue cat who served as the the Foreign Office’s chief mouser in Whitehall for four years, has died in Bermuda after ‘retiring’ to the country
Former Foreign Office chief mouser Palmerston has died aged 12(Image: PA)
A cat who once patrolled Whitehall as the Foreign Office‘s chief mouser has died in Bermuda.
Palmerston, who was rescued from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, retired in 2020 after four years in the role.
In February 2025, an update on Palmerston’s social media revealed he’d emerged from retirement to take up a position “as feline relations consultant (semi-retired) to the new Governor of Bermuda”.
He died on Thursday aged 12. Announcing his death today, a statement on Palmerston’s official X account said: “Palmerston, Diplocat extraordinaire, passed away peacefully on 12 February. “Palmy” was a special member of the Government House team in Bermuda, and a much loved family member.
“He was a wonderful companion, with a gentle nature, and will be sorely missed.”
During his Westminster days, Palmerston made the headlines for his rivalry with Number 10’s chief mouser Larry, who has lived at the Prime Minister’s official residence since 2011.
In August 2016, the pair were seen embroiled in a furious cat-fight outside the steps of Number 10, leaving Palmerston with damage to his ear and causing Larry to lose his collar.
On Saturday, a tribute on his one-time adversary’s official X account read: “Farewell old friend x.”
Labour MP Sarah Champion wrote “RIP”, while UK Deputy Ambassador to Iraq, Serena Stone, said: “RIP Palmerston. Without a doubt the best thing ever to sit in my in-tray.”
A tribute from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home read: “Palmerston helped shine a light on the joy that rescue cats can bring to people’s lives. He will be missed, but his extraordinary legacy will live on.”
Upon Palmerston’s retirement in 2020, a letter addressed to Sir Simon McDonald, permanent under-secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, explained that he wished to enjoy more time “away from the limelight” having relished “working from home” throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“I have found life away from the front line relaxed, quieter, and easier,” the letter bearing Palmerston’s name stated. “My 105,000 twitter followers show that even those with four legs and fur have an important part to play in the UK’s global effort,” read Palmerston’s letter.
“I have championed our work, built our relationships, and celebrated the diversity of our staff.”
Foreign Office employees at the time gave a fond farewell to the departing mouser, with Jon Benjamin, director of the department’s Diplomatic Academy, wishing him a “very happy retirement”.
“He left us a slightly chewed dead mouse next to my desk in @UKDipAcademy once, and we were of course not very grateful,” he added.
