The world's oldest person is marking her 117th birthday on Friday, following a year that included meeting the King and holding his hand.
Ethel Caterham, a resident at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, is spending the day with family and friends.
A year of firsts
In a statement, she said: "Thank-you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I’ve had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King."
She added: "I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings."
Charles visited Mrs Caterham in September last year, shortly after her 116th birthday, and held her hand as he introduced himself.
Becoming the oldest living person
She became the oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116.
During the meeting with Charles, she recalled his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales when he was 21, remarking: "All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you."
Mrs Caterham was born on August 21, 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, five years before the First World War began, as the second youngest of eight siblings.
A long life across centuries
She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910. At 18, in 1927, she travelled to India and worked as an au pair to a military family until she was 21.
She met her husband Norman, a lieutenant colonel in the British Army who died in 1976, at a dinner party in the UK in 1931. They lived in Salisbury before being stationed in Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where she set up a nursery school and raised two daughters, both of whom predeceased her.
One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to 104. Mrs Caterham drove until she was 97 and enjoyed playing contract bridge in her centenarian years. She survived Covid in 2020 at age 110.
According to Guinness World Records, the title of the oldest person ever is held by French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.
