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The Duchess of Sussex shared a hug with her ‘cousin’ Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts as she and Prince Harry met players ahead of their game against the New York Yankees in London.
As Europe’s first ever Major League Baseball game was given the royal stamp of approval, family history may have also been made as Meghan met award-winning outfielder Betts at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park tonight.
Meghan and Betts reportedly share ancestry dating back 150 years to America’s Deep South according to a U.S. genealogist who says both their origins can be traced back to Alabama relatives.
The royal couple are attending to promote Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation which has been partnered with the MLB’s two-game London Series.
Betts told the Boston Globe last year: ‘I saw on television that they were getting married. But I had no idea we were related … That’s not something you expect to hear, but it’s interesting.’
An 1870 Federal Consensus reportedly shows that Joseph Betts is Mookie’s great-great grandfather and Jacob Betts – who lived two doors down from Joseph – is the great-great-great grandfather of Meghan.
Genealogist Jim McNiff, who uncovered the link, believes the chances of coincidence are minimal due to the scarcity of Betts’ in Madison County and the proximity of the neighbours.
Meghan and Betts were seen hugging this evening in the Red Sox locker room as Prince Harry and the players clapped and laughed.
Meghan beamed as each team gave her a baby-sized jersey, with the New York Yankees shirt emblazoned with Archie’s name and the number 19 on the back for the year of his birth.
Meghan shares a hug with her ‘cousin’ the Red Sox’s award-winning outfielder Mookie Betts in the locker room at the London Stadium this evening as Prince Harry clapped – Meghan and Betts are thought to share family ties dating back to Alabama 150 years ago
Meghan Markle beams as she meets the stars of the Boston Red Sox ahead of their game against the New York Yankees in London
Meghan smiles and claps as she is handed the iconic white pinstriped jersey of the New York Yankees, which has been emblazoned with the name of her son Archie and a number 19 for the year of his birth
Meghan and Harry holding gifts given to them by the Red Sox players – including a mini red bat – ahead of the historic London Series in Britain’s capital tonight
Prince Harry and Meghan hold hands while standing beside the pitcher’s mound in the London Stadium (left) and laughing together as they walk out onto the field (right)
Prince Harry and Meghan hold hands as they walk onto the specially modified London Stadium pitch ahead of tonight’s historic baseball game before 66,000 spectators
Prince Harry and Meghan look at each other as they take their places in the crowd for tonight’s historic baseball game in London
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive on the field prior to the start of the first of a two-game series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium
Former Invictus athletes from the USA and the UK took part in throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the London stadium which is home to Premier League football club West Ham United.
Harry and Meghan strolled out to the mound as they were seen speaking to representatives of the Invictus Games and pitchers CC Sabathia of the Yankees and Chris Sale of the Red Sox.
The Invictus foundation was founded by Prince Harry for wounded, sick and injured armed service personnel to take part in various sporting events.
There is a sell-out crowd tonight as the baseball rivals take each other on before some 66,000 spectators, with the Yankees and the Red Sox competing in the AL East conference.
Similar in style to the British sports of rounders, this is the first time America’s colossal MLB has attempted to sell itself in the UK.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided Meghan with the Archie jersey in the locker room at the London Stadium this evening
Prince Harry and Meghan looked delighted with the surprise custom-made gift for their son Archie as they were handed over by the New York Yankees’ manager
Meghan and Harry smile at each other as they take the field in front of MLB fans for the historic game, Europe’s first ever Major League Baseball contest
Meghan appeared to find the cute gesture of the new shirt for baby Archie hilarious as she was joined by her husband in the locker room at the London Stadium
The royal couple – Prince Harry wearing an Invictus Games Foundation polo shirt and Meghan in a black Stella McCartney summer dress – walk past the pitcher’s mound
Meghan holds up Archie’s Yankee jersey as she and Prince Harry sit with the New York Yankees in their dressing room this evening
Meghan wears a pair of shades as she sits with Prince Harry while the sun beams down on London for the historic baseball game
Meghan looks delighted with her new red shirt for baby Archie, while Prince Harry was given a little red bat for his son this evening
With some of the MLB’s 30 teams having previously played in Mexico, Japan, Australia, and Puerto Rico, it’s believed chiefs at the organisation are keen to make their mark in an untapped market.
But it comes over a decade after the NFL made its debut appearance at London’s Wembley Stadium with a match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.
Because of the need for a larger, more circular pitch the organisation has picked the London Stadium to host the inaugural meet.
The former Olympic stadium, where West Ham play their home games, is hosting two games between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox this Saturday and Sunday.
Meghan smiles at Prince Harry as they arrive for the historic baseball game which has been partnered with his Invictus Games Foundation
Players of the Boston Red Sox smile and laugh as they chat to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ahead of their baseball game against the New York Yankees
Prince Harry smiles as he looks down at the mini red baseball bat given to him by the Boston team as Meghan holds a gift bag from the London Series
Players and coaches of the New York Yankees pose alongside Prince Harry and Meghan after they gave them a special jersey for royal baby Archie
The Boston Red Sox players remove their caps as they sing the Star Spangled Banner at the London Stadium tonight
The Duchess made her first post-baby appearance three weeks ago, when she paid respect to the Queen’s birthday as she attended Trooping the Colour.
Meghan and Harry welcomed their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on Monday, May 6.
The little boy received a visit from Prince Harry’s grandparents, the Queen and Prince Phillip, a few days after his birth, alongside Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.
Grandmother Doria, who had been staying with the family at Frogmore Cottage since before the birth, has since returned to her hometown of Los Angeles.
The royal couple are planning to resume a full-time schedule in about four months with a trip to South Africa that will mark Archie’s debut on the international stage.
Harry will continue on his own to other African countries, although a date and itinerary have not been set.
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of the Invictus Games Foundation and baseball players before the Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees baseball game at London Stadium
Prince Harry and Meghan with members of the Invictus Games Foundation and Red Sox and Yankee players beside the pitcher’s mound at the specially re-turfed London Stadium which is usually used for Premier League football matches
Meghan wore a Stella McCartney black dress with a keyhole detail and belted waist, while Prince Harry wore a polo shirt, as they were joined beside the mound with officials from his Invictus Games Foundation
Members of the Invictus Games Foundation clap as Boston Red Sox and New York Yankee players meet with officials on the field this evening
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