The King has met the world’s oldest living person- 116-year-old Ethel Caterham- who told him she still remembers his investiture as Prince of Wales more than half a century ago.
“A true prince, and now the King”
Mrs Caterham, who lives in a Surrey care home, smiled as she greeted the King from her armchair and told him:
“I remember when your mother crowned you in Caernarfon Castle. And all the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”
Her granddaughter Kate Henderson laughed, adding: “You were saying that the other day: ‘Prince Charles was so handsome. All the girls were in love with him. A true prince, and now the King.’”
The King, 76, raised his eyebrows before joking in reply: “Yes, well, all that’s left of him anyway.”
A royal connection spanning decades
Mrs Caterham became the world’s oldest person in April following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas. Since turning 100, she has received 17 birthday cards from the King and from Queen Elizabeth II.
She featured on the Royal Family’s Instagram in 2023, filmed receiving her 114th birthday card. Earlier this year, when she broke the record for longevity, His Majesty also sent her a personal letter of congratulations.
A remarkable life
Born in Hampshire in 1909, Mrs Caterham is the last surviving subject of King Edward VII. At 18 she travelled to India as an au pair before returning to marry her husband, Lt Col Norman Caterham, in 1931.
The couple lived in Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where she opened a nursery school, and raised two daughters, both of whom have since passed away. Norman died in 1976. Her sister Gladys lived to 104, however.
Mrs Caterham has lived through two world wars, drove until the age of 97, played bridge well into her 100s, and even survived coronavirus at 110.
She quietly marked her 116th birthday in August, but told her family she would celebrate properly if the King came to visit. On Thursday, he did just that.
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