Prince Harry had a promise to keep to a 102-year-old war veteran — and a wife waiting to hear he had made it back to earth.
The Duke of Sussex jumped from a plane outside Toronto on Friday, September 25, completing a charity skydive inspired by World War II veteran Ed Marshall. Once safely on the ground, Harry called Meghan Markle, who, by his account, was more than ready for an update. usmagazine.com
“I didn’t have to convince her, but she was relieved once we were down,” Harry told CTV News afterward.
The wait, he explained, had been longer than expected.
“It took quite a while to get up, so I think she was like, ‘Are they down yet? Are they down yet?’”
But the most meaningful part of the day involved the man who had talked Harry into the challenge — and then learned he would not be allowed to jump himself.
Harry and Marshall met during a visit to Toronto’s Sunnybrook Veterans Centre last November. Marshall, who trained as a paratrooper during World War II, told the prince he had celebrated his 100th birthday with a fundraising skydive.
That story planted an idea. The two began planning another jump, this time with Harry taking part, according to the Sunnybrook Foundation. Sunnybrook Foundation
A medical evaluation ultimately ruled out a repeat performance for Marshall. His grandson, Bailey, stepped in to make the jump alongside Harry, while Marshall joined them aboard the aircraft.
“Ed’s been really excited about this. There’s no version where you can let a 102-year-old veteran down,” Harry said.
“He was devastated that he couldn’t jump, but it was great to have him in the back.”
Even then, Harry joked, the veteran’s determination kept everyone on their toes.
“They did put a parachute on him. We did think that he was probably going to jump by himself — glad he didn’t and he’s still here!”
Readers can watch CTV’s coverage and post-jump interview here.
Harry also playfully blamed Marshall for leaving him with no escape route from the commitment.
“I’ve just been blaming Ed anyways,” he said. “I said, ‘I can’t, I don’t want to do it, I wish I could get out of it,’ but Ed is very persuasive!”
For Bailey, the prince following through meant something beyond the spectacle. He described Harry’s interest in his grandfather’s service as “surreal for our family,” especially given his busy schedule.
The jump supported Sunnybrook and the True Patriot Love Foundation, two organizations serving Canada’s military community.
Sunnybrook’s connection to veterans stretches back to its opening as a military hospital after World War II. Today, it operates one of Canada’s largest veteran care facilities. True Patriot Love supports military members, veterans and their families through grants, research and advocacy.
Harry’s own military background includes 10 years in the British Army and two deployments to Afghanistan, giving the promise a personal connection. The charity’s official fundraising page explains the beneficiaries and accepts donations. Sunnybrook Foundation
Back on solid ground, Harry also offered a family update following the Sussexes’ return to Britain.
“The kids are happy in school,” he said of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, adding that being back gave him a chance to concentrate on the next Invictus Games in Birmingham.
The event is scheduled for July 10–17, 2027, with organizers expecting 550 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from 25 nations to compete in 12 adaptive sports. Birmingham 2027
After Friday’s adventure, however, Harry had a more immediate reason to appreciate being back.
“It’s great to be back on terra firma, actually!” he joked.
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