Raffles 1887

RAFFLES READS

Everybody wants to be a cat

Claude, the grandest Aristocat in Britain, has developed a devoted and rapidly expanding international fan base and become Raffles London at The OWO’s most famous personality. CHARLOTTE METCALF was granted a rare audience with this regal and charismatic cat for RAFFLES 1887

Where were you born and where you do live now?

I WAS born six years ago in Surrey, England. It was a somewhat humble beginning for a cat of my heritage, but my human back then was a breeder of British Short Hair Blues like me. I’m glad to say that when my new humans came to collect me three weeks later, we liked each other straight away. I was particularly glad when my name was changed from Chonk to Claude, which is far more appropriate for a cat of my status.

Today I move between four homes, and I especially love our Georgian country retreat in north Norfolk. I even like the sea although I detest the cold, and when the wind blows nothing would persuade me to go to Holkham Beach where my humans love to walk. What I like most about Norfolk is that it’s flat and wet so there are lots of frogs. One of my favourite pastimes is catching them and bringing them into the house as gifts. It’s most amusing watching my humans running around trying to catch them.

Of course, my favourite home nowadays is Raffles London at The OWO because it’s here that most of my friends and admirers are. Luckily, I’m a very good traveller. I like to stretch out and sleep on car journeys, and my human ensures my special cashmere blanket is spread out on the back seat. I also enjoy train journeys as there are always people wanting to come and admire me.

When I travel between London Liverpool Street and Norwich, there’s a gracious lady called Gemma who walks up and down with a trolley giving humans peculiar-smelling things to eat and drink. She always stops for a chat and sometimes she upgrades me to First Class, sensing that it would be far more in keeping with my style.

Tell me about your life at Raffles?

Before the hotel opened, I spent a night in the Churchill Suite, which I can highly recommend. On the whole, my staff are most courteous and treat me with the respect that a cat of my rank and breeding expects. The new Managing Director, Olivier Thomas, never fails to come out and greet me and accompanies me to the Concierge Desk where I assist José Almeida, the Head Concierge, to greet guests. This allows my fans their photo opportunities with me. I actually rather enjoy all the stroking and petting. It’s soothing to feel so admired. And since my Instagram posts have started going viral, I do have to tolerate the selfies that people want with me – it’s the least I can do for nearly a million views.

What’s your favourite part of Raffles life?

I adore the food. Mauro Colagreco, who created our fine Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name, is most attentive and ensures my favourite grilled chicken is diced just how I like it.

Once a human had the nerve to try and serve me mere water. It was utterly unacceptable – it’s Cat Milk or nothing and everyone understands that now. If I don’t have my patties for breakfast or my chicken on time, I do tend to become rather vocal and have even been known to make a noise like a fox when I’m really hungry and grumpy. I’m always far more amenable after eating, so that’s the time to ensure a good cuddle or selfie with me.

If I’m not in the restaurant, the butler, Romas, will bring chicken to my suite. He also ensures my silk cushions are where I want them and that I have my lambswool bed, cashmere throws and other treats, including my personalised bath robe. I take full advantage of the Fitness Centre and Guerlain Spa – though I confess to preferring the spa. I did once try the treadmill but abandoned it in favour of a cream cake. I do love a relaxing massage and always feel particularly silky and slinky after a bit of pampering.

Who are your best non-human friends? 

Guests’ dogs are allowed in the hotel. I don’t mind dogs, but they do crave attention and tend to show off. However, I used to be great friends with Archie, whose human was Philippe Leboeuf, the previous Managing Director of Raffles London at The OWO. Now they’ve moved on, I rather miss Archie. He was a terrier of sorts, far inferior to my pedigree, but nevertheless a cheerful fellow.

What’s next? 

First there’s Christmas to look forward to. I love to sit in state under the Raffles Christmas tree in my special red robe embroidered with my initials. Pianists come to the lobby and entertain me with beautiful classical music all year round, but at Christmas time carol singers come and I enjoy that immensely. My Christmas dinner will be turkey with gravy, decorated with a holly sprig and garnished with catnip and cranberry jelly. Due to my fame, there’s a plan to travel to Le Royal Monceau in Paris next Easter to give my French fans the opportunity of a meet and greet with me. And then who knows? There’s even talk of a world tour…

With grateful thanks to Claude's human, Nick Glenister, Director of Finance at Raffles London at The OWO.

Charlotte Metcalf is a writer, magazine editor, podcaster and award-winning documentary film-maker. She has been a human to two cats, who are sadly no longer with us.