Jonathan, a 192-year-old tortoise, has met several members of the royal family in his lifetime. Most recently, he had a chance to meet Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. Jonathan has also met Prince Edward's late parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Prince Edward spent some time with Jonathan on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, while visiting St. Helena. The St. Helena Government posted about the Duke of Edinburgh's visit on X (formerly Twitter). "The Duke of Edinburgh, currently visiting #StHelena, today met 192-year-old Jonathan the tortoise," the account shared.
"Jonathan is the oldest land animal in the world and has met a number of the Royal Family during his 142 years living on St Helena," the post continued.
In 1947, when Jonathan was 115 years old, he met Queen Elizabeth, when she was Princess Elizabeth.
Then, when Jonathan was 125, Prince Philip visited him, fed him and was photographed with him. Jonathan has met Prince Edward's grandparents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, and Edward's late aunt, Princess Margaret, as well.
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The last time a member of the royal family visited St. Helena, which is part of a British overseas territory, was in 2002 when Princess Anne visited.
Jonathan's exact age is unknown, but it is believed that he was born in 1832. He arrived on the island in 1882 after being gifted by the Seychelles.
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