In a rare and heartwarming moment that bridged more than a century of British history, King Charles III paid a personal visit to Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, on September 18, 2025. The encounter, which followed closely after the King’s official farewell to US President Donald Trump at Windsor, offered a glimpse into the enduring traditions and humanity of the British monarchy—and the extraordinary life of a woman who has witnessed the world transform over 116 remarkable years.
Ethel Caterham, born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, stands as a living link to the Edwardian era. As the last surviving subject of King Edward VII, she connects the present day to a time when the world was on the cusp of dramatic change. Her life has spanned the First World War, the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Russian Revolution, the collapse of colonial empires, the rise of modern technology, and even the recent Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2025, she was officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was also 116 at the time of her passing, according to BBC and Daily Mail.
King Charles’s visit was not part of the usual royal pageantry but rather a deeply personal gesture. According to The Independent, the King arrived at the care home and greeted Mrs. Caterham warmly, holding her hand as he introduced himself. Mrs. Caterham, dressed in gold fur-lined sequined slippers, a sage patterned dress, and a pale pink shawl, beamed with delight. The atmosphere quickly shifted from formal to familial as they reminisced about the past—and shared a few jokes.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the visit came when Mrs. Caterham recalled the King’s 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle. With a twinkle in her eye, she told him, “I remember when your mother crowned you in Caernarfon Castle.” She then added, “And all the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.” The King, clearly tickled, responded with a self-deprecating laugh and a playful grimace, quipping, “Yes well, all that’s left of him anyway.” The room erupted in laughter, with Mrs. Caterham’s granddaughter Kate Henderson chiming in, “You were saying that the other day, weren’t you? You said ‘Prince Charles was so handsome. All the girls were in love with him; a true prince—and now the King.’”
Beyond the humor, the visit was steeped in meaning for both parties. For Mrs. Caterham, it was the fulfillment of a wish she had expressed after her 116th birthday in August, which she had chosen to celebrate quietly with family. She had remarked that she would gladly have traded the occasion for a meeting with the King. The monarch, in turn, obliged just weeks later, traveling to see her in person and bringing with him a signed letter congratulating her on her milestone and on becoming the world’s oldest living person. The care home’s sitting room displayed a collection of birthday cards from both King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II—17 in total since Mrs. Caterham turned 100, including one marking her centenary and another for her 116th birthday.
Mrs. Caterham’s life story is as rich as it is long. The second youngest of eight siblings, she spent her early years in Tidworth, Wiltshire, before embarking on an adventure at 18, traveling to India to work as an au pair for a military family. Returning to the UK at 21, she met her future husband, Norman, at a dinner party in 1931. Norman, a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, and Ethel lived in Salisbury before being posted to Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where she set up a nursery school. The couple raised two daughters, both of whom sadly predeceased her. Her family legacy continues through her three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. One of her sisters, Gladys, also lived to the age of 104, suggesting longevity runs in the family.
Despite facing significant hardships—including being widowed in 1976, surviving both the Spanish flu and Covid-19 pandemics, and outliving her children—Mrs. Caterham has remained active and engaged. She drove until the age of 97 and continues to play contract bridge well into her centenarian years. According to Daily Star and BBC, she credits her longevity to resilience, a sense of humor, and staying busy. During her conversation with the King, she even offered him some tongue-in-cheek advice on how to stay young, delighting everyone in the room with her wit.
Mrs. Caterham’s unique place in history has not gone unnoticed by the royal family. In the UK, it is customary for the monarch to send birthday greetings to citizens reaching 100 or more, but in Mrs. Caterham’s case, the tribute has been especially personal and enduring. She has attended royal garden parties, received cards and letters from both Charles and the late Queen, and even appeared on the monarchy’s official Instagram account in 2023, when she received a birthday card from the King for her 114th birthday.
Supercentenarians—those who live beyond the age of 110—are exceedingly rare. Fewer than 100 such individuals are verified to be alive worldwide, making Mrs. Caterham’s achievement extraordinary not just for Britain, but on a global scale. According to The Independent, the oldest person ever recorded was Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days. Longevity researchers study people like Mrs. Caterham to better understand the interplay of genetics, lifestyle, and environment in extreme aging. Her story, marked by activity, humor, and strong family ties, offers valuable clues.
For King Charles, the visit was more than a ceremonial duty. It was a chance to honor a living witness to history and to reaffirm the monarchy’s connection to the people it serves. For Ethel Caterham, it was a day to remember—a royal encounter that capped a life filled with extraordinary moments. As the world continues to change at a dizzying pace, their meeting stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring value of personal connection, resilience, and the simple joys of shared laughter.