Overview

• Ethel Caterham’s title as the world’s oldest living person was certified by Guinness World Records, LongeviQuest and the Gerontology Research Group following Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas’s death in April.
• Her care home said she declined interviews and would spend the day at her own pace with family, noting that a call from King Charles III could be her one concession after receiving his birthday card at 115.
• Born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, she is the last surviving subject of King Edward VII.
• Her life spanned postings to India, Hong Kong and Gibraltar after marrying British Army officer Norman Caterham; she outlived her husband and two daughters and is now grandmother to three with five great‑grandchildren.
• She previously survived COVID‑19 at 110 and has summed up her longevity as “never arguing with anyone,” with Guinness also listing her as the oldest British person on record.