Fame follows Governor’s celebrity cat to Bermuda

Jonathan Bell, Assistant News Editor

Created: Feb 03, 2025 07:56 AM

Whiskered away to Bermuda: Palmerston the cat, former chief mouser at the British Foreign Office has clawed his way to a top diplomatic post — feline relations for the Governor of Bermuda (Photograph supplied)

The call of public service has brought a beloved diplomatic feline out of retirement and to the island to serve alongside Andrew Murdoch, the Governor.

Bermuda’s newest political figure is Palmerston, a black-and-white rescue cat, who enjoys a following on the social-media platform X that would put many celebrities to shame.

Now comfortably ensconced in the Governor’s quarters in Paget, Palmerston captured national attention in Britain in 2020 when his retirement as chief mouser at the Foreign Office was picked up by the BBC and Fleet Street’s finest diarists.

Celebrity resident: Palmerston enjoys an audience with Na’imah Astwood, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Photograph supplied)

According to queries under Britain’s Freedom of Information Act 2000, Palmerston racked up an impressive haul under his former title since arriving in Whitehall in April 2016.

The Foreign Office revealed in March 2018 that Palmerston’s reported catches since January 1, 2017 added up to 38 mice dispatched — but “figures are likely to be much higher, as these are only reported sightings”.

He was also known to spar with Larry, the resident cat at No 10 Downing Street.

Not feline it: Palmerston strikes a disdainful pose (Photograph supplied)

Before joining Mr Murdoch’s household, Palmerston was cared for by volunteers, with the permanent under-secretary’s office overseeing his upkeep.

Because his food was donated, his diet varied — but he was said to be partial to Whiskas.

According to details provided to The Royal Gazette by Government House, Palmerston is now “semi-retired” and serving as feline relations consultant in Mr Murdoch’s home, “attending only the meetings he deems important, offering advice when necessary and, of course, indulging in well-earned naps”.

Palmerston’s handle on social media is a portmanteau of “diplomatic” and “moggie“, the British slang for cat, thus yielding ”diplomog“, for readers keen to follow him in Bermuda.

His title comes from Henry John Temple, the 3rd Viscount Palmerston, also known as Lord Palmerston, a foreign secretary who served two terms as prime minister — from 1855 to 1858 and from 1859 to 1865.