Prince Harry Apologizes to Canadians for ‘Hat Gate’ After Wearing Dodgers Cap

Prince Harry’s visit to Canada this week was meant to commemorate Remembrance Day events honoring military service — but it quickly became an unexpected apology tour. The Duke of Sussex found himself addressing a lighthearted controversy that had gained international attention: his decision to wear a Dodgers cap at a World Series game featuring the Toronto Blue Jays.

Speaking at a dinner for the True Patriot Love Foundation in Toronto on Thursday night, Harry sought to put the matter to rest. Referring to what he called “the blue-hatted elephant in the room,” the prince acknowledged that his wardrobe choice had sparked offense in Canada, a country that remains part of the British Commonwealth and where his father, King Charles III, serves as head of state.

The reaction north of the border had been swift and spirited. Many Canadian fans saw the cap as a symbolic snub, especially given Harry’s close ties to the country — which once briefly served as home to him and his wife, Meghan Markle, following their exit from royal duties in 2020.

With humor and humility, Harry addressed the crowd, saying he hoped to turn the awkward moment into a bridge of goodwill. “I am truly sorry for wearing a Dodgers cap,” he said to applause. “When you’re missing a lot of hair on top and you’re sitting under floodlights, you’ll take any hat that’s available.”

1. The Story Behind ‘Hat Gate’

The controversy began when Prince Harry and Meghan attended Game 4 of the World Series in Los Angeles. The couple, seated prominently behind home plate, were seen wearing Dodgers colors as their adopted hometown team took on the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers would go on to win the series in seven games, but not before Harry’s choice of headwear ignited a mild firestorm online. Some Canadian fans questioned whether the prince had abandoned his Commonwealth roots in favor of his American lifestyle. Others took to social media to tease the royal for what they perceived as a lapse in loyalty. The debate even made its way into talk shows and headlines across Canada, earning the incident its tongue-in-cheek nickname — “Hat Gate.” Harry later explained that he had worn the hat out of courtesy, saying he and Meghan were invited to the game by the Dodgers’ ownership group. He felt “under duress,” he joked, to represent the home team. “It was a polite gesture,” he said, adding that Canadians, known for their civility, would understand his predicament. To drive home the point — and perhaps to reclaim some goodwill — Harry concluded his remarks in Toronto by donning a Blue Jays cap handed to him by a member of the audience, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

2. Balancing Two Worlds

The light-hearted controversy also reignited broader discussions about Prince Harry’s identity and public role since stepping away from royal duties. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved from the United Kingdom to North America in 2020, living briefly in Canada before settling in Montecito, California, where they have since built new personal and professional lives. For many Canadians, the country still holds a symbolic connection to the couple. Meghan lived in Toronto for several years while filming the television series Suits, and the pair made their first official public appearance together there during the 2017 Invictus Games — an international sporting event founded by Harry for wounded veterans. During his Toronto speech, Harry played on those shared memories. “This city has always meant a great deal to me,” he said. “You provided me a wife.” He also affectionately appealed for forgiveness on Meghan’s behalf, noting her California roots. “Hopefully you can forgive her as a native Californian for her Dodgers loyalty, even if for just one evening.” His self-deprecating tone helped diffuse lingering tension, reinforcing his connection to Canada while acknowledging his life in the United States. By the end of the evening, what began as a controversy had turned into a moment of lighthearted reconciliation.

3. Humor, Humility, and Healing

Harry’s comments came during a two-day visit focused primarily on military and veterans’ affairs. In Toronto, he attended several events honoring Canadian service members ahead of Remembrance Day, part of his long-standing commitment to military causes and mental health advocacy. The brief detour into baseball diplomacy underscored his ongoing balancing act between personal identity and public expectations. Observers noted that the apology struck the right tone — blending humor with sincerity while steering clear of political undertones. The Duke’s ability to laugh at himself, one commentator noted, reflected his evolving approach to public life since leaving the constraints of royal protocol. Despite the momentary stir, Harry’s remarks were well received in Canada. CTV News and local outlets described audience reactions as warm and supportive, suggesting that most saw the apology as a good-natured gesture rather than a diplomatic necessity. Before departing, Harry offered one last nod to his northern hosts: he claimed to have rooted for the Blue Jays in the final three games of the World Series, joking that such an admission might make his return to Los Angeles “a little more awkward.”