Prince Harry completed a charity skydive on the outskirts of Toronto today, honouring a pledge he made to 102-year-old Second World War veteran Ed Marshall.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, leapt from a plane in a daring stunt designed to raise funds for two organisations dedicated to Canada’s military community: Sunnybrook and the True Patriot Love Foundation.
Though Mr Marshall’s doctors ultimately ruled it unsafe for the centenarian to jump again – having already completed the daring jump for his 100th birthday – his grandson Bailey took his place alongside Harry for the descent.
Mr Marshall, who turns 103 in the coming months, was nevertheless aboard the aircraft, cheering the pair on from inside the plane as they made their leap.
Following the dive, Harry kissed the ground where he landed and called his wife, Meghan Markle.
Asked whether it had been difficult persuading the duchess to let him take part, he replied: “I didn’t have to convince her, but she was relieved once we were down. It took quite a while to get up, so I think she was like, ‘Are they down yet? Are they down yet?'”
Mr Marshall and Harry first met in November when the duke visited the veterans centre at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Their connection was immediate, rooted in a shared commitment to military service and the welfare of fellow servicemen and women.
The former paratrooper, who trained during the Second World War, previous sky dive clearly left an impression on the duke, with the Sunnybrook Foundation noting: “The idea stuck, and together, they devised a plan for another jump.”
Despite a medical evaluation ruling out Mr Marshall’s participation in the jump itself, the 102-year-old was fitted with a parachute for the flight – prompting some nervous moments for those on board.
“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!” Harry told CTV afterwards.
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“Ed’s been really excited about this. There’s no version where you can let a 102-year-old veteran down,” the prince added. “He was devastated that he couldn’t jump, but it was great to have him in the back.”
Bailey, who made the leap in his grandfather’s stead, said: “You would never assume that somebody with your schedule would do something to put yourself on the line for one, and just to take the time to take interest in what he’s done and his service and your service has been surreal for our family.”
The duke, for his part, was characteristically self-deprecating about the whole affair, placing responsibility for the challenge squarely at Mr Marshall’s door.
“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!”
Harry also offered a glimpse into his family life, adding: “It’s been great. It’s been great to be back on British soil,” before quipping with a nod to the day’s airborne exploits: “It’s great to be back on terra firma, actually!”
“The kids are happy in school, and it gives me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham,” he said. “The Games are in July next year.”
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