Prince Harry Skydives in Ontario to Honour Promise to 102-Year-Old Veteran
Prince Harry parachuted near Innisfil, Ontario, to keep a promise to 102-year-old veteran Ed Marshall and raise money for two veterans' charities.
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, parachuted from a plane north of Toronto on Friday, fulfilling a promise made to a 102-year-old Second World War veteran and raising funds for two veterans' charities.
Harry first met former paratrooper Ed Marshall at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto last November. During that visit, Marshall told the prince about a fundraising skydive he had completed to mark his 100th birthday in 2024, and Harry promised to return to Toronto to join him on another jump.
Marshall, who turns 103 in a few months, was unable to take part in the dive himself. His grandson, Bailey Fullan, jumped in his place while Marshall watched from the back of the plane.
Fullan said his family had not taken the prince's promise entirely seriously at first and were surprised when his representatives made contact a few months ago. "It's been pretty surreal for our family," he said.
Asked whether he was surprised the prince had kept his word, Harry replied simply: "A deal's a deal." Marshall suggested the public setting of the original pledge had left little room for doubt. "He, Prince Harry couldn't really refuse, because he said he would jump with me when he visited the hospital and there was a room full of people," Marshall said.
After landing in an open field in Innisfil, Ontario, the prince was seen bending down to kiss the ground. He later spoke on the phone with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. "She was very relieved once we were down," he said.
Harry also addressed his family's recent move from the United States to the United Kingdom. "It's been great. It's been great to be back on British soil. The kids are happy in school and it's given me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham and the games in July next year," he said.
He added that Canada holds a special place in his heart. "I love every single thing about Canada. And I think Canada plays an incredibly important part in moral leadership in today's world," he said.
The skydive raised money for the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and the True Patriot Love Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports veterans and their families.