Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, is celebrating her 117th birthday on Friday at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, surrounded by her family and friends.
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. I've had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings."
Meeting the King and becoming the oldest living person
Mrs Caterham was visited by King Charles III in September last year, just after her 116th birthday. The King held her hand as he introduced himself. During the meeting, she recalled his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales when he was 21, adding: "All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you."
She became the oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116.
A life spanning more than a century
Born on August 21, 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, five years before the start of the First World War, Mrs Caterham was the second youngest of eight siblings. She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910.
At age 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. The couple lived in Salisbury before being stationed in Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where Mrs Caterham set up a nursery school. She raised two daughters, both of whom predeceased her. One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to be 104.
Remarkable milestones and records
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 164 days.
