The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, delighted fans with a surprise appearance at the 2025 World Series in Los Angeles, cheering on the Dodgers. This highly anticipated outing wasn’t just a glamorous date night; it resurfaced an intriguing distant family connection between Meghan and Dodgers’ All-Star shortstop, Mookie Betts, adding a unique layer to the royal couple’s support for the home team.
On October 28, 2025, Dodger Stadium pulsed with excitement, not only for Game 4 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays but also for the unexpected arrival of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The couple, seen decked out in matching Dodgers hats, settled into prime front-row seats, making their loyalties to Meghan’s hometown team clear.
Their presence quickly became a talking point, with Meghan even documenting moments of their “date night” on her Instagram stories, showing Harry’s enthusiastic support and a candid shot of herself enjoying a signature “Dodger Dog.” This outing followed a busy day for the Duchess, who had just launched her first holiday collection for her lifestyle brand, “As Ever,” earlier that day.
A Stylish Duo in the Stands
For the evening, Meghan Markle exuded a “quiet luxury” vibe, pairing her casual Dodgers cap with an oversized white button-down shirt, Veronica Beard jeans, and Stuart Weitzman booties. She accessorized with a Brochu Walker navy sweater draped over her shoulders, a sentimental heart pendant from The Gold Album (benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles), and a “Call on Your Angels” diamond necklace from Logan Hollowell. Her look was completed with diamond-studded Guzema earrings.
Prince Harry complemented Meghan’s style with a coordinated blue and white outfit, featuring a navy blazer over a classic white T-shirt and dark jeans, topped with his own Dodgers hat.
The couple was seated among a constellation of stars, including basketball legends Magic Johnson and LeBron James, actor Donald Glover, and legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, with whom they were seen conversing during the game. This blend of Hollywood royalty and sports legends made for a memorable night at the ballpark.
Meghan’s Deep Roots: Los Angeles, Toronto, and the Dodgers
While her current loyalties firmly lie with the Los Angeles Dodgers—her hometown team—Meghan also has strong ties to the opposing city, Toronto. She spent several years living in Toronto while filming the hit series Suits, occasionally even sporting a Toronto Blue Jays cap during that period. This dual connection to both World Series cities adds a layer of personal history to her attendance.
An Unexpected Family Connection: Meghan Markle and Mookie Betts
Beyond hometown pride, Meghan Markle had another compelling reason to root for the Dodgers: a distant family connection to their All-Star shortstop, Mookie Betts. This surprising link was first uncovered by amateur genealogist Jim McNiff in 2018, as Meghan prepared for her royal wedding.
McNiff’s research, originally reported by the Boston Globe, revealed two potential ancestral connections:
- First Link: A distant relation through the marriage of Meghan’s great-great aunt, Katie Betts, to Mookie’s great-great uncle, Richard Betts.
- Second Link: Further digging into the 1870 federal census of Madison County, Alabama, suggested a more profound connection. McNiff found Joseph Betts (Mookie’s great-great-grandfather) and Jacob Betts (Meghan’s great-great-great-grandfather) living just houses apart. Records indicate both were descended from enslaved people owned by Elisha Betts, a tobacco plantation owner from Virginia.
Meghan has publicly acknowledged her mother, Doria Ragland, is descended from enslaved people. Mookie Betts, for his part, expressed surprise at the findings, stating he “had no idea” prior to McNiff’s discovery, though he confirmed family stories of relatives settling in Alabama from Virginia.
In a memorable moment in 2019, the distant cousins finally met when the Boston Red Sox (Mookie’s team at the time) traveled to London to play the New York Yankees. Meghan and Harry met the team in their locker room, sharing a hug with Betts, a moment captured for sports and royal fans alike.
Mookie Betts: A Hall of Fame Career in the Making
While the World Series outcome was uncertain, Mookie Betts’ place in baseball history is already solidified. The 33-year-old shortstop, known for his versatility across second base and outfield, is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation. His impressive accolades include:
- Eight-time All-Star
- Three World Series rings (one with the Red Sox, two with the Dodgers)
- Historic 2018 season: first MLB player to win MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, Batting Title, and World Series in a single season, as detailed by MLB.com.
Like Meghan, Mookie is also a proud parent of two, sharing a 6-year-old daughter, Kynlee, and a 2-year-old son, Kaj, with his wife, Brianna Hammonds.
Beyond the Ballpark: Other Royal Baseball Ties
While this marks Prince Harry’s first World Series game, it’s not the couple’s first foray into baseball. In 2019, they famously attended a regular-season MLB game in London between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, marking the first-ever regular-season MLB game played in Europe. Harry also previously threw out the first pitch at a Mets game in Citi Field in 2010.
Their surprise appearance at the 2025 World Series not only underscored their support for Meghan’s hometown team but also brought renewed attention to the fascinating, distant family ties connecting British royalty to America’s favorite pastime, creating a unique moment for both sports and royal enthusiasts.
