Prince Harry has issued a public apology to Canada after causing a minor diplomatic stir by wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap at a World Series game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 'Blue-Hatted Elephant in the Room'
Speaking at a military charity event in Toronto on Thursday night, the Duke of Sussex directly addressed what he called the "blue-hatted elephant in the room." The incident, which he humorously dubbed "Hat Gate," occurred when Harry attended Game 4 of the World Series in Los Angeles, where his choice of headwear was perceived as a significant snub to Canada.
The controversy gained traction because Canada remains a British Commonwealth nation where his father, King Charles III, serves as head of state. Social media platforms in the "Great White North" erupted with criticism directed at the prince for his fashion faux pas.
Harry's Humorous Explanation and Swift Correction
During his appearance and in a subsequent interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV, Harry offered both an apology and a lighthearted explanation for his headwear choice. "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.
Demonstrating his contrition, Harry promptly swapped the Dodgers cap for a Blue Jays cap that happened to be within reach during his Toronto appearance. The prince explained that he had felt "under duress" to wear the Dodgers cap as a polite gesture after being invited to the game by the team's owner.
The incident was viewed by many as a test of the duke's allegiance between his British birthplace and his adopted home in the United States. Harry and his wife Meghan stepped down from royal duties in 2020, briefly relocating to Canada before settling in Montecito, California, approximately an hour west of Los Angeles.
Royal Seating and Canadian Connections
The couple's prime seating position behind home plate also drew attention, placing them in front of Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax and LA Lakers star Magic Johnson, who is a part owner of the baseball team. Despite the seating arrangement causing some discontent among Dodgers fans, Harry emphasised his strong connections to Canada during his apology.
Harry was in Canada for two days of events and meetings leading up to Remembrance Day on Tuesday, which honours armed forces members who died in the line of duty. Speaking at a dinner for the True Patriot Love Foundation, a charity supporting Canadian service members and veterans, he received applause after stating: "I am truly sorry for wearing a Dodgers cap."
The duke highlighted his personal ties to the country, noting that his wife Meghan had lived in Toronto for years while filming the television series "Suits", leading many to believe she was Canadian. "Hopefully you can forgive her as a native Californian for her Dodger's loyalty, even if for just one evening," he said. "But all jokes aside, this city has always meant a great deal to me — you provided me a wife."
In a final attempt to mend fences, Harry insisted he had been rooting for the Blue Jays for the final three games of the series, though he admitted to CTV that this confession might make his return to Los Angeles somewhat more complicated.
