Here’s a summary of the provided content, with a "Key Takeaways" section and organized into paragraphs as requested.
Key Takeaways:
- Prince Harry jokingly apologized to Canada for wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat during the World Series game between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
- He cited "duress" and politeness as reasons for wearing the Dodgers cap, explaining that he was invited to the Dodgers dugout by the owner and was simply trying to be a gracious guest.
- Harry clarified that he supported the Blue Jays in subsequent games and acknowledged the "Hat-Gate" controversy, joking about his allegiance.
- He emphasized his strong ties to Canada, referencing Meghan’s time in Toronto, the Invictus Games, and their brief residence on Vancouver Island.
Prince Harry’s Apology to Canada for "Hat-Gate"
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, playfully apologized to Canada for a perceived faux pas involving baseball caps during the recent World Series. The incident, which he jokingly referred to as "Hat-Gate," occurred when he was spotted wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap while attending a game between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. This sparked amusement and some minor criticism in Canadian media, as the Blue Jays are Canada’s only Major League Baseball team.
During an interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV News, Harry explained the circumstances surrounding his choice of headwear. He stated that he was "under duress" and that there wasn’t much choice in the matter. He had been invited to the Dodgers dugout by the team’s owner, and he felt it was only polite to wear the home team’s cap as a gesture of respect. He jokingly added that the hat also served a practical purpose, given his thinning hair and the bright stadium lights.
Harry’s Allegiance to the Blue Jays and His Canadian Connections
Acknowledging the controversy, Harry clarified that he was, in fact, rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays in the subsequent games of the World Series. "Game 5, Game 6, Game 7, I was Blue Jays throughout," he declared. He joked that admitting his support for the Blue Jays might make it difficult for him to return to Los Angeles, where he currently resides with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children.
The prince emphasized his deep and enduring connection to Canada. As the son of the head of state, he has longstanding ties to the country, even though he is no longer a working member of the royal family. He highlighted that Meghan lived in Toronto for seven years while filming the television show "Suits," and the city also hosted the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, which Harry founded in 2017. The couple also resided on Vancouver Island in British Columbia for a brief period in 2020 after stepping down as senior royals.
Addressing "Hat-Gate" and Honoring Canada
During a visit to Toronto to meet with veterans ahead of Remembrance Day, Harry addressed the "blue-hatted elephant in the room" during a speech at an event honoring Canada’s military. He reiterated his affection for the city and country, emphasizing that it holds a special place in his heart. He said that despite his current residence in California, Toronto would always mean a great deal to him because of his history with the city, including his time with the Invictus Games and his wife’s prior residence there.