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Ethel Caterham of southeast England celebrated a remarkable milestone on August 21, marking her 117th birthday. Recognized in mid-2025 by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person, Caterham remains the first Briton to reach 117 and the 13th person globally to celebrate this age, according to Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, an organization dedicated to supercentenarian research.
Residing in a care home in Surrey, about 32 miles southwest of London, Caterham chose a quiet celebration this year. Reflecting on the past year, she shared highlights including some unexpected “firsts,” such as stroking a llama and meeting King Charles III in September.
The monarch visited Caterham after she expressed a desire to meet him, and the two shared a memorable moment holding hands. Caterham, who is the last surviving subject of King Charles’s great-great-grandfather Edward VII, recounted past royal encounters, including a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the 1960s and the youthful admiration for Charles when he was a prince.
Caterham’s longevity has been validated by multiple organizations, including the European Supercentenarian Organisation and LongeviQuest. Over the years, she has set several records:
- January 2019: Oldest living person in Surrey at 109
- January 2022: Oldest living person in the UK at 112
- October 2022: Last surviving subject of Edward VII at 113
- April 2025: Oldest British person ever at 115
Born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, in 1909, Caterham was raised in modest conditions without electricity or running water. At 18, she worked as a nanny in India for three years before returning to England, where she married Major Norman Caterham.
The couple lived in Hong Kong for a time, where she ran a nursery and taught English, before settling back in the UK in 1960. Now a mother of two and grandmother to three, she enjoys simple pleasures such as spending time in her garden, listening to birds, playing trivia, and listening to music.
This year, Caterham celebrated with a Frank Sinatra impersonator performing her favorite song, “Three Coins in the Fountain.” Birthday wishes have poured in from around the world, including from João Marinho Neto, the world’s oldest man at 113 from Brazil, who sent a warm greeting in Portuguese.
Looking ahead, Caterham expressed optimism: “I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings.” Her longevity and grace continue to inspire those who follow her extraordinary journey.