World's oldest woman tells King Charles 'everyone wanted to marry you' in secret visit

King Charles met the world's oldest person during a secret visit recently and was told that "all the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you." The King travelled to meet 116-year-old Ethel Caterham at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey and was clearly entertained by her decades of memories.

The monarch travelled to meet Mrs Caterham shortly after bidding farewell to President Donald Trump at Windsor after his unprecedented second state visit. Back in April, Mrs Caterham became the oldest living person following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116.

After marking her birthday quietly in August, Mrs Caterham said she would only celebrate in a more public way if the King came to see her - so he obliged.

After he arrived, the King held Mrs Caterham's hand and listened intently as she told him: "I remember when your mother crowned you in Caernarfon Castle."

The King expressed delight at her recollection of his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales when he was 21, saying "oh yes" and adding to others in the room: "You see, fascinating."

Mrs Caterham continued: "And all the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you." Her cheeky comment prompted a hearty laugh from the King and a raise of his eyebrows.

One of Mrs Caterham's granddaughters, Kate Henderson, added: "You were saying that the other day, weren't you?

"You said 'Prince Charles was so handsome. All the girls were in love with him'. A true prince - and now the King."

Charles, who responded with a playful grimace, quipped: "Yes well, all that's left of him anyway."

Mrs Caterham was born on August 21 in 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, five years before the start of the First World War, as the second youngest of eight siblings.

She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910.