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Prince Harry took on a daring challenge in Canada for a charitable cause, jumping from a plane to fulfill a promise he had made to a 102-year-old World War II veteran.
Prince Harry took on a daring challenge in Canada for a charitable cause, jumping from a plane to fulfill a promise he had made to a 102-year-old World War II veteran. The Duke of Sussex completed the skydive near Toronto as part of a campaign aimed at raising awareness and support for organizations serving Canada’s military community. Harry first met the veteran, Ed Marshall, last November during a visit to a veterans’ center at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital. The two developed a bond based on their shared military background and commitment to supporting veterans, after which they planned to go skydiving together. A medical assessment determined that Marshall could not safely make the jump because of his age, so his grandson Bailey decided to take his place. Marshall nevertheless joined Harry and Bailey on the flight and watched them complete the jump from the aircraft.
After landing, Harry said there was “no way” anyone could let down a 102-year-old veteran and explained that Marshall had been extremely excited about the challenge. Harry also joked that he was relieved Marshall had not attempted the jump himself, as he is set to turn 103 in the coming months. Harry said his first call after completing the skydive was to his wife, Meghan Markle. Asked whether, as a father of two, he had needed to convince Meghan to let him take part in the jump, Harry said he did not need to persuade her, although he acknowledged that she was relieved when he returned safely to the ground. According to Harry, the long wait before the jump must have left Meghan wondering when he would finally make it back to the ground.
