Prince Harry's scheduled arrival in Toronto on Wednesday for military veteran support events has triggered fierce criticism from Canadian citizens still smarting from his choice to wear Los Angeles Dodgers merchandise during last week's World Series.
The Duke of Sussex's office confirmed his visit would involve multiple engagements with the Canadian Armed Forces and veteran communities.
When CTV News reported the announcement, it prompted immediate negative reactions on social media platforms.
Canadian citizens expressed their displeasure beneath news posts, with one commenter asking sarcastically: "Will he be wearing his LA Dodgers hat?"
Prince Harry faces Canadian backlash ahead of Toronto visit after supporting LA Dodgers
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The timing proved particularly unfortunate, coming merely days after Harry and his wife, Meghan, displayed their support for the Dodgers rather than Toronto's Blue Jays during baseball's championship series.
Social media platforms erupted with harsh criticism following the visit announcement.
"A week late," one user commented beneath a CP24 post, whilst another questioned the relevance of the royal's presence entirely.
The backlash intensified with particularly scathing remarks about Harry's character and family relationships.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry currently live in California
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Another commenter expressed how deeply the baseball allegiance had affected their opinion: "He's a Dodger fan. Stay away! I don't think he's realizes how deep our feelings are for the Blue Jays! I did like him. My feelings have changed."
The controversy appears particularly pointed given both royals' significant connections to Toronto.
Meghan Markle resided in the city for seven years whilst filming the legal drama Suits, frequently expressing her affection for the Canadian metropolis.
In a 2015 interview with Best Health magazine, she described Toronto as feeling like home, praising the warm reception she received from residents.
Meghan and Harry supported the LA Dodgers, which left fans confused, given their connections to Canada and Toronto | REUTERS"At the onset, I didn't know what to expect, but everyone has been so welcoming," she stated.
Prince Harry's ties to Canada include military training exercises with Canadian forces during his armed services career.
Furthermore, Canada remains one of 14 Commonwealth nations that continue to recognise King Charles as their head of state, making the perceived slight particularly galling for many Canadians who view the baseball allegiance as dismissive of these historical bonds.
The royal couple faced additional criticism for their seating arrangements at the baseball match.
Prince Harry has announced his upcoming trip to Toronto for Remembrance Day
| GETTYThey occupied front-row seats directly behind the pitch clock, whilst sporting icons Magic Johnson and Sandy Koufax were positioned in the row behind them.
The seating configuration sparked anger amongst Dodgers supporters, who questioned why the Duke and Duchess received preferential placement over celebrated athletes.
Whether the couple purchased these premium seats or received them as VIP guests remains unknown.
The Los Angeles team ultimately claimed victory in the World Series, defeating the Blue Jays in a dramatic seventh game to secure consecutive championships.
This outcome likely provided little consolation to Canadian fans already incensed by Harry's apparent sporting allegiance shift away from Commonwealth loyalties.