King Charles made a special trip to see the world's oldest person, Ethel Caterham, at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey, on Thursday, shortly after bidding farewell to US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle.
Mrs Caterham, 116, entertained the monarch with memories of his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, telling him: 'All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.' The King responded with a hearty laugh and a raised eyebrow.
Sitting beside her in an armchair, Charles held her hand and listened as she recalled attending a Buckingham Palace garden party in the 1960s. A birthday card from the King and Queen Camilla, along with one from the late Queen Elizabeth II, were displayed on a table nearby.
Mrs Caterham became the world's oldest living person in April after the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116. She was born in 1909 in Hampshire, drove until age 97, and survived Covid-19 at 110.
The King, who has sent her birthday cards since she turned 100, quipped about his younger self: 'All that's left of him anyway.' Her granddaughter added: 'A true prince – and now the King.'
