From their family dog’s scrapes with Larry the cat to giving schoolchildren a tour behind the historic black door of 10 Downing Street, Indian businesswoman Akshata Murty has shared some glimpses of what life is like for Britain’s first family living in the country’s most famous address.
In a rare interview with a children’s television show for ‘Sky Kids’, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed how “lucky” the family felt to be residing within the historic quarters in the heart of London that have been a prime ministerial residence for over 275 years. While they seem to have settled in well, their Labrador retriever Nova seems often at war with the resident “chief mouser” of the neighbouring Cabinet Office – no doubt with a claim to have been there much longer at 12 years.
Murty told ‘FYI: Weekly News Show’ over the weekend: “This building has been in use by the office of the Prime Minister for over 275 years, a very long time. And, to be able to live and have a sneak peek, in a way, of this historical place, I feel really lucky.
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“You saw our dog earlier, Nova has mixed emotions; she sometimes doesn’t get on with Larry the cat and they’ve had some heated exchanges and Larry’s come out on top; our family is so grateful to be here.”
Asked by the children interviewing her for their show what it was like to be the wife of a Prime Minister, Murty added: "You know, I've had a busy life before. I've a busy life now.
"I think what's been incredible is the range of opportunities that I've been exposed to... meeting really interesting people."
She also explained the initiative she introduced since moving into Downing Street in October last year to invite children from across the UK to the Prime Minister's residence in London to learn about the building's history and the role of government.
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"Through the Lessons at 10 programme, meeting lots of young people every Friday, I really enjoy that and so for me, I look at it [being the Prime Minister's wife] as a very special time in my life to help support my husband in the job he's doing while opening up the doors to young people," she said.
