The title of the oldest person ever is held by French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days before her death in 1997, according to Guinness World Records.
Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, in the village of Shipton Bellinger in southwestern England, five years before the start of World War I. She is now the oldest person in the world according to the US-based Gerontological Research Group (GRG) and the LongeviQuest database, after the death of 116-year-old Canabarro in April.
“Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year,” her care home in Surrey, south of London, said in a statement, adding that she would not be giving interviews.
“The king (Charles III) may be her one concession, understandably,” it added.