Editor
A girl who has simply celebrated her a hundred and fifteenth birthday has obtained a letter from the King congratulating her on a “actually outstanding milestone”.
Ethel Caterham opened the message from Charles III at a celebration at her care dwelling in Lightwater, Surrey.
It is believed Mrs Caterham turned the oldest particular person in Europe following the demise of a 117-year-old girl in Spain on Monday.
The King conveyed his “warmest good needs” and “hoped that Ethel enjoys her extremely special occasion”.
The letter said that “His Majesty was heartened to study Ethel’s fascinating private historical past”.
Ethel May Caterham (née Collins) was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire.
She is regarded as the final surviving topic of Edward VII and the fourth-oldest dwelling particular person on the planet, in line with the Gerontology Research Group.
Mrs Caterham was the second youngest of eight youngsters.
She mentioned: “We had no tv, no radio or something.
“We needed to make our personal music. There was no electrical energy.”
One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to the age of 104.
Mrs Caterham has outlived her two daughters Gem and Anne.
She has three granddaughters and 5 nice grandchildren.
Her birthday was marked by a celebration and the dedication of a backyard in her honour at Lakeview Care Home.
Mrs Caterham mentioned: “We had a beautiful get together right here. There have been so many individuals.”
