King Charles has made a special visit to the world’s oldest person, Ethel Caterham aged 116, on Thursday.
Caterham lives in an aged care home in Surrey England, and became the oldest living person in the world on April, following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canbarro Lucas, at the age of 116.
Born on 21 August 1909, Caterham has lived through the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, two world wars and the Covid-19 pandemic.
She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII.
Footage of her meeting King Charles was posted on the royal family’s official Instagram page over the weekend, with the caption: “Earlier this week, The King met Ethel Caterham: the world’s oldest living person.
“Ethel celebrated her 116th birthday last month, and received a birthday card from His Majesty: an honour extended to all UK citizens or those in UK Overseas Territories when they turn 100, 105 and every year thereafter.”
In the video Caterham told the Monarch: “I remember when your mother crowned you in Caernarfon Castle.”
She even recalled how popular King Charles was at the time, when he was just the Prince of Wales.
Caterham’s granddaughter, Kate Henderson, added: “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.”
King Charles laughed at her comment and quipped: “Yes well, all that’s left of him anyway.”
Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, the second youngest of eight siblings and was raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire.
As a teenager she worked as an au pair in India, before later moving to Hong Kong and then Gibraltar with her husband, Norman, who she raised two daughters with.
She has three granddaughters and five great grandchildren.
Images: Instagram/ The Royal Family
