GLOBAL – Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, issued a public apology to Canada on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap during a World Series game that featured Canada's only Major League Baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays. The seemingly minor incident ignited a significant debate online among Canadians about royal allegiance and the monarchy's symbolic role, offering a clear illustration of the nuanced relationships between the Crown and the Commonwealth nations.

The controversy, dubbed "hatgate" by the Prince himself, began when he and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were photographed at Game 4 of the 2025 World Series in Los Angeles on October 28. Instead of supporting the Toronto Blue Jays, a team from a prominent Commonwealth realm, the couple wore the merchandise of the American home team. This choice was interpreted by some Canadians as a snub, given that his father, King Charles III, is Canada's official head of state.

In an exclusive interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV News while in Toronto for Remembrance events, Prince Harry addressed the backlash with a mix of humour and sincerity. "Firstly, I would like to apologise to Canada for wearing it," he stated. "Secondly, I was under duress. There wasn't much choice." The Duke explained he had been a guest of the Dodgers' owner and felt wearing the team's cap was "the polite thing to do." To underscore his apology, he donned a Blue Jays hat during the interview, joking, "I'm going to wear this from now on to make sure I don't make any more of those mistakes."

A Tale of Two Commonwealths

For audiences in Kenya, this episode provides a valuable lens through which to understand the diverse structures within the Commonwealth of Nations. Canada is one of 15 Commonwealth realms, sovereign states that recognise King Charles III as their monarch and head of state. In this constitutional monarchy, the King's role is highly symbolic but deeply embedded in the nation's governance and identity. Legislators, military personnel, and new citizens in Canada swear allegiance to the King. Therefore, a gesture perceived as favouring an American team over a Commonwealth one by a senior royal can touch on sensitive nerves of national pride and loyalty.

Kenya's relationship with the Commonwealth, which it joined upon independence in 1963, is fundamentally different. Kenya is a republic, with its own head of state, the President. While King Charles III is recognised as the Head of the Commonwealth, this is a symbolic, non-constitutional role representing the "free association of independent member nations." The relationship is one of partnership, focused on shared values like democracy, human rights, and cooperation on economic and environmental issues, rather than a shared sovereign. The controversy in Canada, therefore, highlights a constitutional and cultural dynamic that does not exist in Kenya and other Commonwealth republics.

Symbolism in the Modern Monarchy

The reaction to the Duke's choice of headwear underscores the intense scrutiny faced by the Royal Family, where even minor actions are analysed for their symbolic meaning. CTV News contributor Afua Hagan noted that for many, sports fandom is tied to identity, and seeing a royal figure appear to side with an American team over a Canadian one "can spark debates about loyalty, belonging, and identity." The online backlash was swift, with social media users in Canada expressing feelings of betrayal and disappointment.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and now reside in California. While they operate with more independence, this incident demonstrates that their connection to the Crown and the Commonwealth remains a significant aspect of their public identity. Prince Harry's visit to Canada was for a series of events to support the Canadian Armed Forces and the veteran community, a cause he has long championed. His apology was a clear attempt to smooth relations and reaffirm his affection for the country, where he and his wife have spent considerable time.

Ultimately, the Toronto Blue Jays lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a decisive Game 7. While the sporting outcome is now settled, the conversation sparked by a simple baseball cap continues to resonate, offering a compelling case study on the enduring, and often complex, power of symbols in the 21st-century Commonwealth.