Prince Harry found himself in the middle of an unexpected diplomatic incident during his recent visit to Toronto, where he was forced to address what he humorously called "the blue-hatted elephant in the room" - his controversial choice of headwear at a recent baseball game.
The Controversial Cap That Caused Uproar
The Duke of Sussex sparked outrage across Canada when he appeared at a World Series game in Los Angeles wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap while watching the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The incident, which occurred when the Dodgers eventually won the series in seven games, was perceived as a major snub in Canada, a British Commonwealth nation where his father, King Charles III, serves as the head of state.
Speaking at a military charity event for the True Patriot Love Foundation on Thursday night, Harry directly addressed the controversy that had generated significant backlash on Canadian social media. "I am truly sorry for wearing a Dodgers cap," he told the audience, which responded with applause to his heartfelt apology.
Harry's Humorous Explanation and Quick Fix
The prince attempted to put a lighthearted spin on the incident he referred to as "Hat Gate," offering a practical explanation for his fashion 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 during an interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV.
In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, Harry immediately donned a Blue Jays cap that happened to be within arm's reach during his CTV interview. The quick switch demonstrated his willingness to make amends for what many Canadians had viewed as a test of his allegiance between his British birthplace and his adopted home in the United States.
Royal Connections and Canadian Ties
Harry used his apology as an opportunity to highlight his deep connections to Canada, particularly emphasizing his wife Meghan's history in the country. He reminded the audience that before their marriage, when she was known as Meghan Markle, the actress had lived in Toronto for years while filming the television series "Suits" - so long that many people mistakenly believed she was Canadian.
"Hopefully you can forgive her as a native Californian for her Dodger's loyalty, even if for just one evening," Harry appealed to the Canadian audience. "But all jokes aside, this city has always meant a great deal to me — you provided me a wife."
The prince explained that he and Meghan had been invited to the baseball game by the team owner and that he felt "under duress" when he wore the Dodgers cap as a polite gesture. He suggested that Canadians - known worldwide for their civility - would understand such a polite obligation.
Harry's appearance at the game had also drawn criticism from Dodgers fans who were upset that the couple occupied prime seating positions behind home plate - sitting in the first row ahead of LA royalty including Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax and LA Lakers star Magic Johnson, who is a part owner of the team.
The Duke of Sussex was in Canada for two days of events and meetings leading up to Remembrance Day on Tuesday, which honors armed forces members who died in the line of duty. In a final attempt to win back Canadian favor, Harry insisted that 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 California somewhat more difficult.
