British Prime Minister Keir Starmer encountered an unexpected cultural nod during his visit to Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden earlier this week, when he spotted a lantern modeled after Larry the Cat – the famed resident mouser of 10 Downing Street.
The lighthearted moment occurred on January 30 during Starmer's tour of the historic garden, where Lunar New Year decorations included feline figures celebrating 2026's Year of the Horse. "First time I've seen our Chief Mouser in a bow tie," Starmer remarked, sparking laughter among attendees.
Local artisans created the lantern display as part of Shanghai's ongoing cultural exchange initiatives. The installation has drawn attention to growing soft diplomacy efforts between the UK and the Chinese mainland, with social media users sharing over 50,000 posts about the cross-cultural feline tribute within 24 hours.
Yuyuan Garden officials confirmed the lantern will remain on display through the Spring Festival season, offering visitors a unique blend of British humor and traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
