Prince Harry completes charity skydive to keep promise to 102-year-old WWII veteran, then calls Meghan to say he landed safely

Prince Harry followed through on a promise made to a 102-year-old Second World War veteran by jumping from a plane near Toronto, before making his first call after landing to reassure his wife, Meghan Markle, that he was safely back on the ground.

The Duke of Sussex took part in the charity skydive in Cookstown, Ontario, on Friday, September 25, as part of an effort to raise awareness and funds for Sunnybrook and the True Patriot Love Foundation, two Canadian organizations supporting military personnel, veterans and their families.

A promise inspired by a veteran

The jump had a personal reason behind it.

Harry met Ed Marshall, a Second World War veteran and former paratrooper, during a visit to Sunnybrook in Toronto last year. Marshall told him about completing a fundraising skydive to mark his 100th birthday.

The story clearly stayed with the Duke. Harry subsequently promised that he would return to Toronto and skydive with Marshall.

That promise was ultimately kept, although Marshall was unable to make the jump himself after a medical evaluation determined that he should not participate.

Instead, his grandson Bailey Fullan joined Harry in the skydive. Marshall was still involved in the day and watched from the plane. Harry later said the veteran had been devastated that he could not jump, but added that he was glad Marshall remained safe.

Harry explained that he had no intention of disappointing the veteran.

“I’m not in the business of letting people down but you cannot let a 102-year-old veteran down,” he said after the jump.

Meghan was waiting for news of a safe landing

After completing the jump, Harry kissed the ground before making a call to Meghan.

Speaking to Canadian broadcaster CTV, he said his wife had not needed to be persuaded to support the skydive, but was understandably relieved when it was over.

Harry joked that the journey into the air had taken long enough for Meghan to wonder when he would finally be back on the ground.

“It took a while to get up so I think she was like ‘Are they down yet? Are they down yet?'” he said.

The Duke also joked that he had been blaming Marshall for getting him into the challenge in the first place.

Harry’s decision to take part was made in the spirit of the promise he had given the veteran, while the event itself was designed to benefit Canadian military charities.

Harry turns his attention to the Invictus Games

The skydive came as Harry prepares for the Invictus Games in Birmingham, which he is due to stage for military veterans.

The Duke also used his interview to offer a brief update on family life following his return to Britain with Meghan and their children.

The family returned to the UK on August 26 after spending six years in California. Harry said the experience of being back had been positive.

“It’s been great to be back on British soil,” he said.

He added that Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, were “happy in school”, giving him more opportunity to concentrate on preparations for Invictus in Birmingham.

Harry was asked what had prompted the family’s relocation. He replied that there were “lots of reasons” but did not elaborate, saying he did not want the question to distract from his efforts to raise money for Canadian veterans’ charities.

The Sussexes’ return to Britain

Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal and financial reasons. Their decision to return to Britain after building a life in California has prompted continued speculation about what brought the family back.

Among the explanations reported in connection with the move have been a desire for Archie and Lilibet to have a closer relationship with their grandfather, King Charles, the possibility of Meghan returning to acting, and a wish by the Sussexes to increase their public profile.

Harry himself has not provided a detailed explanation, saying only that there were “lots of reasons.”

The family’s return has also come with a renewed clarification of Harry and Meghan’s position within the Royal Family. Shortly after their arrival, a letter authorised by King Charles and circulated by the Lord Chamberlain to senior government and military figures reiterated that the couple remain private citizens and are not working royals.

The formal guidance reportedly surprised the Sussexes. They were also reported to prefer the description “public figures” rather than “private citizens.”

The couple have been waiting to learn whether they will receive taxpayer-funded security in Britain.

Archie and Lilibet have changed schools

The children’s schooling has also been part of the family’s adjustment to life back in Britain.

Archie and Lilibet were moved from their initial school after reportedly spending only two days there. Heavy traffic and the length of the journey were said to have placed additional pressure on the family’s security arrangements.

Harry has since said the children are happy at their new school.

That change has allowed him to devote more attention to preparations for the Invictus Games while the family settles into its new life in Britain.

For now, however, Harry’s attention in Canada was firmly on the veterans’ cause that brought him back across the Atlantic.

A promise made to a 102-year-old former paratrooper had taken him from the ground into the sky, and once he was safely back down, his first priority was letting Meghan know he had landed.