Writing 'Letters Of Last Resort' To Meeting Larry The Cat: British PM's First Day At 10 Downing Street

Keir Starmer entered the shining front door of 10 Downing Street for the first time on Friday after he assumed charge as the new British Prime Minister. An undisputed winner, who routed Tories after their 14-years-long tumultuous reign, will now live an alternate reality as the most important man in Westminster. Regular meetings with the King, commanding the nuclear fleet of the British Kingdom and a busy schedule fulfilling poll promises - these would define the everyday life of the new United Kingdom Prime Minister.

His first day began with meeting the crown of the British Empire - King Charles III. On his first day at 10 Downing Street, which also serves as the office of British PM, Starmer will be briefed by senior government officials on matters of national importance, receive congratulatory messages from the heads of the state and appoint his cabinet.

However, there are a few extra-ordinary customs at 10 Downing Street, which also marks the first day of every fresh entrant to the 300-year-old Georgian-style house. These include the mysterious writing of Letters of Last Resort, meeting Chief Mouser 'Larry the Cat' and Clap for the leader.

Clap for the leader

As the new British Prime Minister walks through the shiny, well-polished door of 10 Downing Street, the civil servants and the household staff gather and form a line to clap for the new leader. The clap for the leaders works two ways - first, it introduces the new entrant and its team to the house, secondly, it welcomes them to the most important place in England after Buckingham Palace.

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Letters Of Last Resort

Every new British Prime Minister had to write four identical letters to the commanders of the Trident Nuclear submarines of the Royal British Navy, ordering them what to do in case the whole of the civilian leadership was wiped out.

These mysterious letters, often termed 'Letters of Last Resort', carry one of the four last options for the commanders of nuclear-armed submarines. These options include - retaliate, don't retaliate, use your judgment, or put your nuclear weapons under the command of the U.S. or Australia, if possible.

The letters are then placed inside safes onboard each of the nuclear-armed submarines. They are to be opened only if their captains are certain Britain has been attacked and the country's civilian leaders are dead.

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Letters of Last Resort has been a reminder for the new PMs of the immense responsibility they bear - the ultimate authority over Britain's nuclear weapons.

Chief Mouser - Larry The Cat

Starmer's first day will probably conclude with a meeting with Larry the Cat, the only permanent resident of the 10 Downing Street. The grey and white feline has been around for the last 13 years, outliving as many as 5 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom. Larry with over 8,43,000 X followers, was accorded the official title of Chief Mouser by the government.