Prince Harry completed a charity skydive after making a promise to a 102-year-old Second World War veteran he met in Canada.
The Duke of Sussex was introduced to Ed Marshall, a former paratrooper who served with the Allies during WWII, while visiting the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Canada, the country’s largest veterans’ care facility.
Ed showed Harry photographs from a charity jump he completed at the age of 100. Inspired by the veteran’s story, the Duke agreed to take part in another skydive with him. The pair have remained close friends ever since.
Medical reasons ultimately prevented Ed from making the jump, so his grandson, Bailey Fullan, stepped in on his behalf. Ed still joined the group aboard the aircraft, cheering them on as they prepared to take to the skies.
A video released by The Sunnybrook Foundation captured the moment Harry honoured the bet a year later, on September 25.
Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years and completed tours in Afghanistan, was joined in the air by Bailey, Jeremy Blair, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and Sunnybrook’s President and CEO, and Dr Andy Smith.
The Sunnybrook Foundation released footage of Prince Harry taking on the jump with a smile, while joking that he would “be more cautious next time” before making a bet with a 102-year-old
The Duke fulfilled his promise to the 102-year-old WWII veteran in September by completing a skydive in support of military charities
Harry met former paratrooper Ed Marshall, pictured left, during a visit to the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Canada last year
The four men were seen jumping from the propeller aircraft before embracing after landing safely. Ed encouraged the group from the plane as they completed the skydive.
After keeping his promise to the WWII veteran, Prince Harry said: “A huge, huge thanks to Sunnybrook for putting this whole event on, and the biggest thanks goes to Ed and his entire family for making this possible.”
He added with a laugh: “I will be more cautious next time not to pay too much attention to a photograph that leads you to making a deal or a bet with a 102-year-old! Cheers Sunnybrook!”
Bailey said: “Amazing to be up there with the Prince — what a prince of a guy — it was a fantastic experience! And such a great way to support our veterans, so I’m proud of that.”
The Sunnybrook Foundation said: “Last November, Prince Harry met Ed Marshall, a WWII veteran who trained as a paratrooper, during his visit to the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
“Ed shared the story of the fundraising skydive he completed at the age of 100, inspiring the two veterans to plan a jump together.”
Medical reasons meant the veteran could not make the jump himself, but he encouraged Harry and the others from the plane before they leapt
Harry spent 10 years in the British Army and completed tours in Afghanistan
The Sunnybrook Foundation thanked the Duke of Sussex for taking part in the skydive, saying: “What began as a conversation between two Veterans became a promise kept”
The Duke of Sussex thanked the Canadian charity for organising the event and said: “The biggest thanks goes to Ed and his entire family for making this possible”
“Nearly a year later, that promise became a reality. When a medical evaluation prevented Ed from jumping, his grandson Bailey Fullan stepped in to complete the jump in his honour.
“On September 25, Prince Harry, Bailey, Jeremy Blair, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and Sunnybrook’s President and CEO, and Dr Andy Smith took to the skies. Ed travelled with them aboard the aircraft, cheering them on before they made the leap.
“What began as a conversation between two veterans became a promise kept — an unforgettable chapter in Ed’s remarkable story and a meaningful way to support the Sunnybrook Foundation and True Patriot Love Foundation, two organisations dedicated to serving Canada’s military and veteran communities.”
