Twelve thousand feet above the farmland outside Cookstown, Ontario, a promise made to a man who fought in World War II came full circle. In late September 2026, Prince Harry goes skydiving for 102-year-old WWII veteran, leaving Meghan Markle worried, according to multiple entertainment outlets that tracked the jump and its aftermath [1][10]. The Duke of Sussex completed a tandem charity skydive near Toronto, landed safely, and immediately called his wife to reassure her he was unharmed [1][8].
Key Takeaways
- Prince Harry completed a tandem charity skydive near Cookstown, Ontario, in late September 2026, fulfilling a promise made to 102-year-old veteran Ed Marshall [1][4][15].
- The pledge originated during Harry’s November 2025 visit to Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, where Marshall shared his own skydiving story [11][13].
- Medical advice prevented Marshall from jumping himself; his grandson Bailey took his place while Harry completed the dive [1][4][10].
- The event raised funds and awareness for Canadian military charities, including the Sunnybrook Foundation and True Patriot Love Foundation [5][7][14].
- Reports describe Meghan Markle as anxious about the stunt, though this framing comes from media coverage rather than her own statement [6][12].
What Happened When Prince Harry Goes Skydiving for 102-Year-Old WWII Veteran, Leaving Meghan Markle Worried
The jump took place on a Friday in late September 2026, just outside Toronto [1][14]. Harry, strapped to an instructor in a tandem harness, exited the aircraft and descended safely to a landing zone where supporters and organizers waited [4][15]. The moment marked one of Harry’s most visible public appearances tied to military charity work in recent years, and it drew coverage from People, Page Six, The Mirror, and other outlets that framed the story around his commitment to a WWII veteran [1][3][10].
Social media discussion, including trending posts on X, amplified the narrative of intergenerational camaraderie between the young royal and the aging veteran community he was honoring [1][15].
The Promise Behind the Jump
The origin of the skydive traces back to November 2025, when Harry visited Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto [11][13]. There, he met Ed Marshall, a 102-year-old former paratrooper who told Harry about his own fundraising skydive on his 100th birthday in July 2024, which reportedly raised more than $100,000 for Toronto’s SickKids Hospital [11]. Inspired by Marshall’s story, Harry made a commitment on the spot to jump alongside him.
A widely quoted line tied to the event captures the weight Harry placed on that promise: “there’s no version where you can let a 102-year-old veteran down” [4][5][7][14]. That sentiment framed nearly every report about the eventual jump.
Why Ed Marshall Did Not Jump Himself
Despite being the inspiration for the entire event, Marshall ultimately did not make the dive. A safety evaluation and medical advice determined that, at 102, the physical demands of skydiving were too risky for him [1][4][7]. Instead, his grandson Bailey stepped in and skydived alongside Harry, while Marshall watched from the ground and was publicly honored as the reason the jump happened at all [10][15].
This substitution did not diminish the story’s emotional core. Coverage consistently emphasized that Harry was “keeping his promise,” even though the literal jump partner changed [1][4][15].
The Charities Behind the Skydive
The event was organized to support Canadian military and veterans’ causes. Two organizations were repeatedly named:
- Sunnybrook Foundation, linked to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and its veterans’ programs [5][14].
- True Patriot Love Foundation, which supports military families across Canada [7][9].
Reports stressed that the goal was twofold: raising direct funds and increasing public awareness of veteran care needs [5][8][9].
Prince Harry’s Call to Meghan Markle After Landing
Immediately after touching down safely, Harry phoned Meghan Markle to let her know the jump was over and he was unharmed [1][8]. Tabloids and entertainment sites described her as “worried” or anxious about the risk involved in the stunt [6][12]. It is worth noting this characterization is media framing built from context and sourcing, not a direct quote or formal statement issued by Meghan or her representatives [1][6][12].
Context: Harry’s Return to UK Life and Military Ties
The skydive arrived shortly after Harry and Meghan’s move back to the United Kingdom in early September 2026 [11][13]. USA Today and Türkiye Today both situated the jump as one of Harry’s first major public charity engagements since that transition, describing it as part of how he “marks return to UK life” while maintaining strong ties to Canadian veterans [11][13].
Background reporting also points to Harry’s decade of British Army service, including two tours in Afghanistan, as evidence that his focus on veterans is longstanding rather than a one-time publicity moment [11][14]. Analysis pieces suggest the jump may reinforce his image as a hands-on supporter of military causes across both Canadian and UK audiences, though these interpretations remain commentary rather than official positions [3][10][13].
Conclusion
The story of Prince Harry goes skydiving for 102-year-old WWII veteran, leaving Meghan Markle worried blends a personal promise, a safety pivot, and a charitable outcome into one widely shared moment. Harry honored his commitment to Ed Marshall even after circumstances required a substitute jumper, and the event generated meaningful attention for Canadian veterans’ charities. Readers interested in following the story further can track updates from the Sunnybrook Foundation and True Patriot Love Foundation, both of which continue supporting military families beyond this single event.
References
[1] Prince Harry Went Skydiving Canada Veteran Promise Immediately Calls Wife Meghan Markle 12138794 – https://people.com/prince-harry-went-skydiving-canada-veteran-promise-immediately-calls-wife-meghan-markle-12138794 [3] Prince Harry Skydive Toronto War 37706223 – https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/prince-harry-skydive-toronto-war-37706223 [4] Prince Harry Lands Safely After Skydiving In Ontario – https://ground.news/article/prince-harry-lands-safely-after-skydiving-in-ontario [5] Prince Harry Skydives For Canadian Military Charities 88164414 – https://us.headtopics.com/news/prince-harry-skydives-for-canadian-military-charities-88164414 [6] Prince Harry Does Skydive Honour Promise 102 Year Old Ww2 Veteran Rings Worried Meghan Tell Landed Safely – https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16162295/Prince-Harry-does-skydive-honour-promise-102-year-old-WW2-veteran-rings-worried-Meghan-tell-landed-safely.html [7] 1417735 Prince Harry Jumps Out Of A Plane – https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1417735-prince-harry-jumps-out-of-a-plane [8] Prince Harry Skydives For Charity Calls Meghan After 88164165 – https://us.headtopics.com/news/prince-harry-skydives-for-charity-calls-meghan-after-88164165 [9] Prince Harry Skydives For Charity Calls Meghan After Safe 88164851 – https://us.headtopics.com/news/prince-harry-skydives-for-charity-calls-meghan-after-safe-88164851 [10] Prince Harry Goes Skydiving For 102 Year Old Wwii Veteran – https://pagesix.com/2026/09/26/royal-family/prince-harry-goes-skydiving-for-102-year-old-wwii-veteran/ [11] Prince Harry Skydives Canada Keep 225500114 – https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/prince-harry-skydives-canada-keep-225500114.html