A 102-year-old veteran’s handshake deal turned into one of the more talked-about royal moments of the year. On Friday, September 25, 2026, Prince Harry jumped out of a plane in Canada to keep a special promise, then immediately called Meghan Markle after landing safely on the ground outside Toronto [1]. The tandem skydive was not a stunt dreamed up for headlines. It was a commitment Harry made nearly a year earlier to a World War II veteran, and he followed through on it in front of cameras, supporters, and a nervous wife on the other end of the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Prince Harry completed a tandem charity skydive near Toronto, Ontario, on September 25, 2026, to fulfill a promise made to 102-year-old WWII veteran Ed Marshall [1][3].
- Ed Marshall could not join the jump due to medical concerns, so his grandson, Bailey Marshall, skydived alongside Harry instead [1][3][11].
- The event raised funds and awareness for Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and the True Patriot Love Foundation, both dedicated to Canadian military and veteran support [2][5].
- After landing, Harry’s first move was calling Meghan Markle to reassure her that he was safe [1][6][9].
- Harry told reporters he “didn’t have to convince” Meghan to support the jump, though she stayed anxious until he was safely on the ground [6][11].
The Promise Behind the Jump
The story began in November of the previous year, when Harry visited the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto. There, he met Ed Marshall, a 102-year-old WWII veteran with a sharp memory and an even sharper sense of humor [3][15]. During that visit, Harry made an offhand but sincere pledge: he would jump out of a plane with Marshall someday, as a tribute to the veteran’s service and spirit.
That promise could have quietly faded into the background of royal small talk. Instead, Harry treated it as a binding commitment. Nearly a year later, he returned to Ontario to make good on his word, transforming a casual conversation into a full-scale charity event with real fundraising stakes attached [3][11].
Why Prince Harry Jumped Out of a Plane in Canada
Medical concerns ultimately prevented the 102-year-old veteran from taking part in the skydive himself. Rather than cancel the tribute, the plan shifted: Marshall’s grandson, Bailey Marshall, stepped in to jump alongside Harry, preserving the spirit of the original pledge while keeping the elder veteran safe on the ground [1][3][6][11][15].
The jump took place north of Toronto, near Innisfil, Ontario, as part of a broader charitable challenge centered on Canada’s military community [3][4][5][12]. Harry completed the tandem jump with a professional skydiving instructor, following standard safety protocols for the activity. Eyewitness and visual coverage described him kissing the ground after landing, a small but telling gesture that underscored both the emotional weight of the promise and the physical risk involved in carrying it out [4][5].
Speaking afterward, Harry offered a simple explanation for why he went through with it despite the risks: “You cannot let a 102-year-old veteran down” [6][11][15].
The Charities Behind the Cause
This was not simply a personal favor turned public spectacle. The skydive doubled as a fundraising and awareness campaign for two organizations that support Canada’s military community:
- Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and Sunnybrook Foundation, providing long-term care and services for Canadian veterans, including the facility where Harry first met Ed Marshall.
- True Patriot Love Foundation, a charity focused on supporting military members, veterans, and their families across Canada.
Reports consistently frame the event as both a tribute and a donation driver, with the jump generating attention and funds for these two groups [2][5][12].
Prince Harry Jumps Out of a Plane in Canada to Keep a Special Promise, Then Immediately Calls Meghan Markle
The moment that captured the most attention wasn’t the jump itself, but what happened immediately after. Once Harry’s feet touched solid ground, his first call went to his wife. Multiple outlets reported that he wanted to reassure Meghan directly rather than let her learn secondhand that he had landed safely [1][6][9][11][12].
One report paraphrased Harry’s message to Meghan as a reminder that “their two young children still have a father”, a lighthearted but pointed way of acknowledging the real danger involved in the jump [1][6][9][11][12].
How Meghan Markle Reacted
In an interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV, Harry gave insight into the conversation he had with Meghan before the jump. He said he “didn’t have to convince” her to let him take on the challenge, but she remained on edge until it was over [6][11][15].
“You cannot let a 102-year-old veteran down.”
Descriptions of Meghan’s reaction paint a picture of quiet anxiety followed by relief. She reportedly held her breath during a video call connection tied to the event, then felt a wave of relief and pride once Harry completed the skydive without incident [11][12][15]. That mix of worry and support has become a recurring theme in how the couple is portrayed handling Harry’s charity work involving physical risk.
Conclusion
The skydive outside Toronto was framed by multiple outlets as more than a headline-grabbing stunt. It represented Harry following through on a personal pledge to a WWII veteran, adapting the plan when circumstances changed, and channeling the moment into real support for Canadian military charities [1][9][12][13]. For readers following the story, the practical takeaway is straightforward: promises made publicly to veterans carry weight, and organizations like Sunnybrook Foundation and True Patriot Love Foundation continue to rely on visibility moments like this one to sustain their work. Those interested in supporting similar causes can look directly to these two charities for ways to contribute.
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 [2] 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 [3] Prince Harry Skydive Video Latest – https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2251969/prince-harry-skydive-video-latest [4] Prince Harry Jumping Out Of A Plane Update On Life In The Uk – https://www.gbnews.com/royal/prince-harry-jumping-out-of-a-plane-update-on-life-in-the-uk [5] Prince Harry Skydive Who He Called First – https://rollingout.com/2026/09/26/prince-harry-skydive-who-he-called-first/ [6] Prince Harry Skydive Canada World War Two Veteran – https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/09/25/prince-harry-skydive-canada-world-war-two-veteran/ [9] Prince Harry Calls Meghan Markle Immediately After Skydiving Fulfill Promise 12141280 – https://www.instyle.com/prince-harry-calls-meghan-markle-immediately-after-skydiving-fulfill-promise-12141280 [11] Prince Harry Jumps Off A Plane In Canada To Fulfil A Promise Makes A Sweet Call To Meghan Markle After The Adventurous Experience – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/prince-harry-jumps-off-a-plane-in-canada-to-fulfil-a-promise-makes-a-sweet-call-to-meghan-markle-after-the-adventurous-experience/articleshow/134495574.cms