World's oldest person turns 117 today and still can't get over the time she met the King
Caterham marked the milestone after a year of firsts, including meeting King Charles and becoming the first recorded person to reach 117, Guinness World Records said.
- On Friday, Ethel Caterham celebrates her 117th birthday at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, spending the occasion with family and friends.
- Born August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Mrs Caterham is the last surviving subject of Edward VII and previously lived in India, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar.
- Advising on long life, she said, "Never arguing with anyone, I listen, and I do what I like." Even at 117, she experienced "many firsts" this year, including stroking a llama.
- During a visit from King Charles III last September, Mrs Caterham held his hand and recalled his 1969 investiture, telling him, "All the girls were in love with you."
- Following the death of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas in April 2025, Mrs Caterham became the world's oldest living person; reflecting on her milestone, she said, "I look forward to seeing what next year brings.
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104 Articles
A British woman, born three years before the Titanic disaster, is still the oldest living person in the world at 117. She was also visited by Britain's King Charles III last September.
British Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday. According to Guinness World Records, she is the oldest living person and the first Briton to reach this age.
Ethel Caterham is the oldest woman in the world. She is 117 years old and a year ago, for the occasion King Charles visited her. In a statement, she said:...
Ethel Caterham has gone through more than a century of history and has become the first known British to reach this age. Her life took her from England to India and Hong Kong and now has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
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