Girl sets record for longest smile

A GIRL from Henley has set a new “world record” for the longest smile.

Louise Carey, six, recorded a smile lasting two minutes and
47 seconds at home in Reading Road.

The Trinity Primary School pupil joked that she had to hold the pose so long that “It felt like my face was melting”.

Louise’s effort was recognised with a certificate issued by Kids World Records and is featured in the 2026 edition of the Kids World Records book.

She said that someone had already held the record for “longest smile” in the age seven to nine category but not for her age category of four to six.

Louise said she had been practising her smile before the record attempt to see if she could hold it for as long as possible and hopes to break different records in future. She added: “I want to do something sporty, so maybe like the longest jumping jacks.”

Louise lives with her mother Julia, who runs a green auditing business, father Paul Carey and siblings Phoebe and Charles.

Mr Carey, a former publicist for David Bowie, worked as town centre manager for Henley Town Council until last week.

He said that Louise had decided that she wanted to hold a world record and had searched for ones she thought she could do.

Mr Carey added: “Louise has always been a smiley and determined child, so it came as no surprise when she decided to go for the record.”