Duke of Sussex Explains His “Polite” Choice at Dodgers vs Blue Jays Match
Prince Harry has issued a light-hearted apology to Canada after sparking mild controversy by wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap during the 2025 MLB World Series matchup between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle were spotted sitting front row at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles during Game 4 of the championship series — both sporting bright blue Dodgers caps. While their appearance thrilled fans in California, it didn’t sit quite as well north of the border, where many Canadians felt the royal should have shown support for Canada’s only Major League Baseball team.
Prince Harry’s Apology: “I Was Under Duress”
Speaking to CTV News Canada, Prince Harry laughed off the incident and admitted he meant no disrespect to Blue Jays supporters or the country itself.
“Firstly, I would like to apologise to Canada for wearing it,” he said. “Secondly, I was under duress — there wasn’t much choice.”
The Duke explained that he accepted the hat out of courtesy after being invited to the game by the Dodgers’ owner, calling it “the polite thing to do.”
Harry added that his choice was also motivated by practicality rather than loyalty:
“When you’re missing a lot of hair on top and you’re sitting under floodlights, you’ll take any hat that’s available,” he joked.
Swapping Teams: From Dodgers Blue to Blue Jays Pride
During the interview, Harry sported a Toronto Blue Jays cap and promised to wear it “from now on.”
He even appeared in a video posted by Meghan Markle celebrating the Blue Jays in later games — despite the Dodgers’ eventual victory in Game 7.
The prince doubled down on his allegiance during a visit to Toronto, where he met with some of Canada’s oldest veterans at Sunnybrook Hospital’s Veterans Centre. There, he was presented with a Blue Jays hat, which he proudly wore while participating in a creative arts session.
Harry admitted that declaring himself a Blue Jays fan might not go down well back home in California:
“It might make things a little awkward in L.A.,” he laughed.
A Familiar Connection: Meghan Markle’s Canadian Chapter
For Meghan Markle, the visit brought back fond memories. Before her royal marriage, the Duchess of Sussex lived in Toronto while filming the hit TV series Suits.
The couple, who stepped back from full-time royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California, have maintained strong ties to both countries. Their public appearance at the World Series reflected that dual connection — though it also drew attention from both sides of the border.
Dodgers Fans Also Divided Over Royal Front-Row Seats
Ironically, it wasn’t just Canadians who voiced frustration. Some Dodgers fans in Los Angeles complained on social media that the royal couple’s front-row seats displaced local icons, including Magic Johnson and Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax, who were seated behind them.
The royal pair appeared relaxed throughout the game, chatting with fellow attendees and enjoying the 18-inning thriller — one of the longest World Series games in MLB history.
Prince Harry Reflects on British Identity and “Banter”
Coincidentally, the Duke of Sussex also published an essay this week titled “What It Means to Be British,” in which he explored the cultural values that connect him to his homeland.
In the piece, he wrote about the British spirit of humour, self-deprecation, and camaraderie, especially in sports settings like pubs and stadiums:
“Banter in pubs and sports grounds, and a sense of good-humoured self-deprecation — that’s what I love most about Britain,” he wrote.
His apology to Canada, delivered with a wink and a smile, seemed to embody that same spirit — blending self-awareness with charm.
A Lighthearted Scandal With a Diplomatic Touch
For Prince Harry, the hat controversy is a reminder that even the smallest gestures can carry symbolic weight — especially when you’re a member of the royal family with ties to multiple nations.
Still, his quick apology and good-natured humour helped defuse any tension, turning the episode into a moment of levity amid his ongoing work with veterans and charitable causes in both Canada and the United States.
As one Canadian fan commented online, “We’ll forgive him — as long as he wears the Blue Jays cap next time.”
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