LONDON – During a visit to Toronto to commemorate the conclusion of World War I, Prince Harry found himself embarking on what could be described as a diplomatic mission of apology to the Canadian people.

At a military charity event on Thursday evening, the Duke of Sussex took the opportunity to address what he humorously termed the “blue-hatted elephant in the room.” This was in reference to his controversial decision to don a Los Angeles Dodgers cap at a World Series game, which featured a matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays in Los Angeles.

For many in Canada, a country where his father, King Charles III, serves as monarch, the choice was perceived as a significant faux pas. The reaction from social media users in Canada was swift and critical.

In a bid to mend fences, Harry offered an apology for what he humorously dubbed “Hat Gate,” attempting to diffuse the tension with a touch of levity.

“With the little hair I have left, and the bright lights overhead, any hat within reach will do,” he quipped during an interview with Canadian broadcaster CTV, injecting some humor into the situation.

He then donned a Blue Jays cap that happened to be an arm’s length away.

The incident was perceived by some as a test of his allegiance between his birthplace and his adopted home in the U.S. The prince and his wife, Meghan, stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to Canada briefly before settling in California.

The appearance of Harry and Meghan at Game 4 of the series — that LA went on to win in seven games — also rankled some Dodgers fans who were upset at their prime position behind home plate.

The couple sat in the first row – in front of LA royalty — Dodgers great Sandy Koufax and LA Laker star Magic Johnson, who is a part owner of the team.

Harry said the couple, who live about an hour west of Los Angeles in the ritzy coastal enclave of Montecito, had been invited to the game by the team owner.

He felt “under duress” and wore the hat as a polite gesture, something he told the Toronto audience that he thought Canadians — known for their civility — would support.

Harry was in Canada for two days of events and meetings in advance of Remembrance Day on Tuesday that honors armed forces members who died in the line of duty.

“I am truly sorry for wearing a Dodgers cap,” he said to applause at a dinner for the True Patriot Love Foundation, a charity for Canadian service members and veterans.

He then played up his connections to the country, including the fact that his actor wife — before they married and when she was known as Meghan Markle — lived so long in Toronto filming the show “Suits” that many thought she was Canadian.

“Hopefully you can forgive her as a native Californian for her Dodger’s loyalty, even if for just one evening,” he said. “But all jokes aside, this city has always meant a great deal to me — you provided me a wife.”

Harry insisted that he was rooting for the Jays for the final three games of the series — an admission that he told CTV might make his return to LA more difficult.