Ethel Caterham celebrated the milestone on Friday, 21 August, with family and friends. She currently lives in a care home in Surrey, England.

Born on 21 August 1909, Ethel is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person. Guinness confirmed that her latest birthday also made her the first British person ever verified to reach 117.

Ethel became the world's oldest living person in 2025, following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116.

Her life has taken her well beyond the UK. At the age of 18, she travelled alone by ship to India, where she worked as a nanny for a British family.

She later met British Army officer Norman Caterham in 1931, and the couple married at Salisbury Cathedral two years later. They also spent time living in Hong Kong, where Ethel set up a nursery for British and local children.

After returning to England, Ethel and her husband had two daughters, Gem and Anne. Her husband died in 1976 and Ethel has also outlived both of her daughters. She now has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.

Last year, Ethel also met King Charles III and spoke to him about remembering his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969. Reflecting on her 117th birthday this year, she joked that even at her age she had continued to experience new things, including meeting the King.

When asked in the past about the secret to her long life, Ethel has kept her advice simple. She has said she avoids arguments with other people and prefers to listen before doing what she likes.

Her longevity also appears to run in the family. Ethel was one of eight children, and one of her sisters lived to the age of 104.

Her 117th birthday also brought congratulations from Brazil's João Marinho Neto, who is recognised as the world's oldest living man and is due to celebrate his 114th birthday in October.

Ethel is now the 13th oldest verified person ever, Guinness World Records reports, and the last known living person born before 1910.