In a purr-fect blend of diplomacy and whimsy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer got an unexpected taste of home during his Shanghai visit this week. While touring the lantern-lit Yuyuan Garden on January 30, Starmer stumbled upon a feline celebrity lookalike – a glowing lantern version of Larry, 10 Downing Street's famous resident mouser sporting a dapper bow tie. 😺🎀
"First time I've seen him dressed for dinner!" Starmer quipped to local reporters, sparking laughter among attendees. The lantern forms part of Shanghai's Lunar New Year celebrations, now in full swing ahead of the February 17 holiday.
Political analysts suggest the playful moment highlights growing cultural exchanges between the UK and China. "It's soft diplomacy at its finest," says University of London's Dr. Emily Zhou. "Shared symbols like Larry create common ground in complex relations."
Meanwhile, social media is going wild with memes (#BowTieLarry trends globally), proving that even in 2026, nothing bridges cultures faster than an adorable cat meme – especially one that's three meters tall and glowing. 🌟
