When Palmerston trotted out a new look, the world took notice.
Palmerston, of course, is the Chief Mouser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at King Charles Street in London. The black-and-white tuxedo cat was first rescued from the city’s streets in 2016 by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The so-called diplocat’s rags to riches story has attracted quite a following.
So when Palmerston appeared online last week to celebrate Lunar New Year, style-watchers were stopped in their tracks.
They spotted a rather chunky accessory.
新年快乐! 恭喜发财! Happy New Year everyone! #YearOfThePig pic.twitter.com/4uFUVNWnHU
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) February 5, 2019
What is with that collar?
It’s not exactly house arrest.
But Palmerston is now essentially a four-legged GPS.
“I roam freely all over @foreignoffice, so this tracker collar helps my humans check in to make sure I’m safe, particularly at weekends,” the cat tweeted to his 78,000 followers yesterday.
Lots of you have been asking about my smart new collar! I roam freely all over @foreignoffice, so this tracker collar helps my humans check in to make sure I’m safe, particularly at weekends. pic.twitter.com/h4xluRtLeD
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) February 12, 2019
Consider it business as usual.
World leaders have walked these stairs for over a hundred years… but only one diplocat 🐱 pic.twitter.com/mf45dJGSWX
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) November 22, 2018
After all, the country has a long history of “bureaucats.”
According to the National Archives, cats have been employed by the government since the 1800s “to preen, sleep and hunt in the corridors of power.”
“The government has been unofficially ‘employing’ cats since the mid 19th century – not as a forward thinking precursor of today’s therapy dogs – but for the far more gruesome task of ridding Westminster of mice and rats,” the archives explains.
It’s not clear how many rodents Palmerston has caught.
But he has met leaders from around the world, worn bow ties of all kinds and slept wherever — and however — he’s wanted.
As a special treat on #WorldCatDay, I get to sleep in the best chair in the @foreignoffice! How are you celebrating? pic.twitter.com/CsVfe0dZH6
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) February 17, 2017
100s of Ministers, officials, diplomats & policemen tramp up and down Ambassadors’ staircase @foreignoffice every day. Yet @DiploMog is content to catnap on the landing: comfortable in his surroundings pic.twitter.com/TiNH7I0f4n
— Sir Simon McDonald (@SMcDonaldFCO) September 7, 2018
Enjoying a well-earned #catnap after another busy week catching mice around the @foreignoffice. #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/PJzEptkblh
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) September 1, 2017
Despite the fame, power and catnaps, Palmerston has never forgotten his roots.
And continues to fundraise for Battersea.
It’s official #BatterseaCat Palmerston has taken up residence in the Furr-eign Office. https://t.co/Pob7mhcVpH pic.twitter.com/pu7ZYyOnvd
— Battersea (@Battersea_) April 13, 2016
Photos @DiploMog/Twitter