Prince Harry apologizes for backing the Dodgers

Prince Harry made headlines again—this time for a baseball cap. The Duke of Sussex was spotted at Game 4 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, wearing the cap of the California team. What seemed like a harmless gesture quickly turned into a social media storm. Many Canadian fans saw it as a symbolic betrayal, especially considering the historical ties between Canada and the British monarchy.

The controversy, dubbed “Hatgate,” escalated quickly. According to a report by The Express, Prince Harry attended the game as a guest of the Dodgers’ ownership group. He appeared on the Jumbotron alongside Meghan Markle, both cheering enthusiastically for the home team. The backlash didn’t come from American fans—it came from Blue Jays supporters who expected a more neutral stance from the royal.

Sincere apologies

In response to the uproar, Prince Harry gave a follow-up interview to CTV News, where he offered a public apology. “First, I want to apologize to Canada for wearing it. Second, I was under pressure,” he explained. He added that he accepted the cap as a courtesy to his hosts. Harry also joked about his baldness: “When you’re short on hair and under stadium lights, you’ll take any cap they hand you.”

Prince Harry is so delightful, charming & funny.🤣 Here he is addressing “Hat Gate” & how he wore the LA Dodgers hat to be polite to the owner who had invited them. We will always love you Prince Harry!💕#PrinceHarry pic.twitter.com/aqdRRuh67c

— Zandi Sussex (@ZandiSussex) November 6, 2025

To smooth things over, Prince Harry wore a Blue Jays cap during Games 5, 6, and 7. He even promised, “It’ll be the only one I wear from now on.” Still, the symbolic damage had already been done. In Canada—a country that maintains constitutional ties to the British crown—the gesture was seen as tone-deaf. It’s worth noting that King Charles III, Prince Harry’s father, remains Canada’s head of state and will appear on the country’s $20 bill starting in 2027.

A diplomatic lesson

Beyond baseball, the incident reignited debate about the role of royal family members in public settings outside the UK. Prince Harry, who has lived in California since 2020, has tried to carve out a more independent image. But moments like this show that his presence still triggers strong reactions.

In the end, what began as a night of sports and entertainment turned into an unexpected diplomatic lesson. Prince Harry, with humor and humility, tried to steer things back on course. But clearly, that cap may have weighed heavier than a crown.