When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle turned up at a World Series baseball game in Los Angeles, they likely expected cheers, not controversy.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have once again found themselves at the center of a heated debate — this time for where they were sitting.
The couple’s front-row seats at the LA Dodgers’ clash with the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t go unnoticed.
In fact, they were some of the most coveted spots in the entire stadium, typically fetching tens of thousands of dollars and often reserved for legendary athletes or lifelong fans.
VIP Treatment That Ruffled Feathers
Dressed in Dodgers merchandise, Harry and Meghan were seen smiling and chatting as TV cameras frequently zoomed in on them from their prized first-row position — right behind the pitch clock.
Just behind them, however, sat some serious sporting royalty, including basketball legend and part-owner of the Dodgers, Magic Johnson, who was relegated to the second row.
Fans quickly took to social media to vent their frustration. “Magic Johnson is royalty,” one wrote, while another asked in disbelief why the royal couple had been given seats ahead of icons like Johnson and Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax.
One fan posted: “Prince Harry and his wife sitting IN FRONT of Sandy Koufax? Unreal.”
Fans Question Meghan’s Baseball Allegiance
Adding to the uproar, many fans couldn’t help but notice the irony of Meghan supporting the Dodgers instead of the Blue Jays — the very team from the city she once called home.
During her Suits days, Meghan lived in Toronto and even expressed her love for the city in a 2015 interview with Best Health magazine, saying, “It’s like my home.
Everyone has been so welcoming.” She’s also been spotted wearing Blue Jays gear in the past, making her new allegiance to LA’s team a bit of a head-scratcher for longtime followers.
Harry’s connection to Canada only made things murkier. The Duke trained with Canadian forces during his military career, and the country remains a proud member of the Commonwealth.
For many fans, that should have been reason enough for him to back Toronto instead of Los Angeles.
Mixed Crowd Reaction at the Stadium
Before the game began, Major League Baseball shared a clip of Harry and Meghan arriving at the stadium, greeting fans as security escorted them to their seats.
When they appeared on the big screen, reactions from the packed crowd were reportedly muted.
One attendee described the atmosphere as “decidedly nonplussed,” though others online had a more positive take.
“Love seeing global icons reppin’ LA!” one fan wrote. Another added, “Dodgers uniting the world one hat at a time.”
Meghan Balances Activism and Lifestyle Projects
The baseball outing came amid a busy week for Meghan, who has been back in the spotlight for her humanitarian and business ventures.
Just a day before the game, she shared her admiration for 15-year-old Avery Colvert, the founder of Altadena Girls — a group supporting teens affected by California wildfires.
Meghan praised the young activist, saying, “You never thought your work would grow to be this big.
And even if it hadn’t, it still would have been meaningful.”
She added emotionally, “If our daughter turns out to be anything like you, I’ll be the proudest mom.”
The Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation has supported Colvert’s cause since January, donating funds and volunteering alongside the organization.
Duchess Launches Her First Christmas Collection
As if that weren’t enough, Meghan also unveiled her first Christmas range for her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The festive collection includes everything from fruit preserves to luxury candles — one of which pays homage to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
In an Instagram clip, Meghan was seen decorating her home in an olive-green dress, baking, and glazing a turkey using her brand’s products.
Among the standout items is the $64 “Signature Candle No. 519,” which supposedly captures “the freshness of a day in the English countryside” and the “joy” of her wedding day.
Another candle, “Signature Candle No. 084,” is inspired by Meghan’s August 4 birthday and features notes of water lotus, sandalwood, and California poppy — a scent she describes as “feeling like a hug.” Both candles are priced at $64 each.
Also new to the As Ever line is a 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut, priced at $89, and a three-piece fruit spread gift set featuring strawberry, orange marmalade, and raspberry jams for $42.
Family Time at the Pumpkin Patch
The royal couple’s public appearance at the Dodgers game also comes just days after they gave fans a rare peek into their family life.
In a cozy Instagram video, Meghan shared moments from a pumpkin patch trip in Santa Barbara with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The footage showed the family carving pumpkins at home, with glimpses of the children’s faces — something Meghan rarely allows in public posts.
Her mother, Doria Ragland, and close friend Markus Anderson also appeared in the clip, adding to the intimate, homey vibe.
Anderson, whom Meghan affectionately calls her “second husband,” has been a constant presence in her life lately, joining her for outings from Disneyland to Paris Fashion Week.
His appearance at the Sussexes’ Montecito home in the video only confirmed his special place in their inner circle.
What’s Next for the Sussexes?
As the couple continues to balance fame, philanthropy, and family life in California, the Dodgers game episode proves one thing — wherever Harry and Meghan go, attention (and debate) follows.
Whether it’s sitting courtside, supporting young activists, or lighting up homes with luxury candles, the Sussexes seem determined to keep their royal brand alive — even if it occasionally puts them in the hot seat.