When Britons flip 100, the milestone isn’t solely celebrated by household and buddies alone, however generally additionally by the British monarchy. It is a royal custom that has endured for greater than a century and has been handed down from one monarch to a different.
At 116 years outdated, Ethel Caterham is presently the world’s oldest verified residing individual, and the Guinness World Information introduced this on 30 April 2025. She not too long ago met King Charles III, and greater than a photo-op, it was a continuation of custom, historical past, and nationwide respect for longevity.
Born in 1909, earlier than the sinking of the Titanic, earlier than the First World Struggle started and even earlier than Einstein printed his principle of common relativity, she bridges eras in residing reminiscence.
Her assembly with the King symbolises a longstanding British custom of sending congratulatory messages to residents who’ve attained 100 years and past.
What is that this custom, and the way does it work?
The observe of the monarch sending messages to centenarians within the UK has its formal roots in 1917, beneath King George V, who initiated it by issuing telegrams for milestone birthdays and anniversaries. Playing cards had been despatched to these celebrating their one hundredth and a hundred and fifth birthday after which yearly thereafter.
They had been additionally despatched to these celebrating their diamond wedding ceremony anniversaries (sixtieth, sixty fifth, seventieth), and yearly thereafter. Though solely present residents of His Majesty’s Realms (international locations the place the King is Head of State) or UK Abroad Territories are eligible to obtain this, the supply of those messages is organized by the Anniversaries Workplace at Buckingham Palace.
The Centenarian Group on the Division for Work and Pensions notifies the Anniversaries Workplace of these approaching their milestone birthday to make sure everybody receives a message, so it’s not essential to make an utility.
Nevertheless, for others, particularly these not on advantages or these residing exterior the UK, there’s a requirement to use through a printed on-line kind.
The playing cards are sometimes dispatched by Royal Mail with a private message and the monarch’s signature. Nevertheless, in uncommon circumstances, the monarch might ship a card in individual.
For instance, it was reported that King Charles and Queen Camilla personally handed one to Rona Grafton throughout a royal away day in Middlesbrough in February 2025.
What this gesture symbolises
To many centenarians and their households, the royal card is greater than a chunk of stationery. They see it extra as a logo of recognition, a treasured second when the Crown formally acknowledges a person’s lengthy life. Who wouldn’t love that?
In truth, it has been reported that some households view it as a prized memento, handed down from one technology to the subsequent, as a reminder of a residing custom and a way of belonging.
In a single case, a 101-year-old World Struggle II veteran in Kent, Arthur Orbone, described receiving his royal card as a second of honour he’ll always remember. This additional proves that, certainly, recognition from the monarch can really feel deeply affirming and equally fulfilling.
Longevity development within the UK
The UK is reportedly experiencing a gentle enhance in centenarians. In accordance with a 2024 report by King’s Faculty London, 15,120 centenarians had been residing in England and Wales as of mid-2023.
It is a report excessive, greater than double the quantity reported in 2002, which was 6,920. The Guardian reported, nonetheless, that the quantity dipped barely within the latter a part of 2023 to 14,850.
In accordance with King’s Faculty London, a number of components contribute to this longevity development within the UK. A few of these components embody advances in healthcare, improved diet, diminished toddler mortality, and higher assist for people with persistent ailments.
Nevertheless, the rising numbers of centenarians additionally pose explicit challenges, similar to sustaining social care, housing, psychological well being, and high quality of life for the very aged.
Whereas a royal card is significant, it is usually symbolic. Critics argue that recognising centenarians needs to be complemented by tangible assist methods, similar to improved entry to dwelling care, enhanced mobility infrastructure, intergenerational packages, and social inclusion initiatives, to make sure society matches this residing custom with substance.
Comparability to different international locations
The UK’s custom will not be distinctive in celebrating elders, however the royal private contact is uncommon, making it incomparable to others. In Japan, the nationwide vacation, Respect for the Aged Day, which was established in 1963, honours the nation’s older residents. Initially, centenarians used to obtain a commemorative reward of silver sake cups.
However Japan’s authorities modified the commemorative reward for centenarians because of the rising variety of recipients, making the unique sterling silver sake cups too costly. It has since been altered twice to include prices.
In america, centenarians can obtain congratulatory letters from the President, whereas many state and native governments supply their very own recognition packages. In contrast to the UK, which robotically sends greetings, the popularity within the U.S. will not be automated and should be requested.
In distinction to the UK, Nigeria doesn’t have a proper coverage of recognising residents who attain 100 years of age. We should not have government-issued messages or institutionalised honours tied to this milestone.
As an alternative, we’ve celebrations primarily based on household preparations to have fun the lives of their aged ones. Nevertheless, a few of these elders are generally awarded titles of their respective non secular establishments.
A number of different international locations additionally preserve a steady symbolic hyperlink between heads of state and their centenarian residents, just like the UK. However the UK’s monarchy’s greeting acts as a bridge between the nation and its residents.
Ethel Caterham’s assembly with King Charles and lots of others from centuries again is a residing testomony to how the UK honours longevity and maintains custom.
From 100 onward, every royal card marks 100 years lived, and for a lot of, it’s the most public acknowledgement they may ever obtain of their lifetime.
