LONDON -- As eventful as things were during Saturday’s four-hour, 42-minute marathon, perhaps the most surreal part of the day for the Red Sox was getting to meet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) in the clubhouse prior to the 17-13 loss to the Yankees.

“It’s amazing, especially when you’re getting phone calls, texts from everybody back home,” said Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. “I got a text from one of my friends. He was like, ‘I can’t believe you got to share the same oxygen.’ Everybody thinks it’s a real big deal and it was amazing getting to meet them. Hopefully will get to meet them again in the future.”

Manager Alex Cora admits he panicked in the moments leading up to the encounter. So much so that he almost spoke the wrong language in his remarks.

“I was so nervous, I was panicking,” said Cora. “I was getting instructions from [PR director] Kevin [Gregg] and I almost forgot [what to say]. I almost asked for a translator. Instead of speaking English to them, I almost spoke to them in Spanish. I was very nervous but it was something special, unique, and I know the guys got videos so it was cool.”

Mookie Betts, who got a hug from the duchess, tried to make the interaction as natural as possible.

“It was cool,” said Betts. “They’re people just like we are. You talk to them and then you kind of push the royalty thing out. Like I said, treat them like a normal person.”

Bradley: I love London

Count Bradley among those who are all-in on the decision for the Red Sox and Yankees to play the two games in London.

“I love London,” said Bradley. “It’s amazing. I’ve enjoyed my time here. I know my family has as well. It’s my second time getting to come to London and both times I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. I love it.”

Cora shared those sentiments.

“I know there’s something set up for next year [with the Cubs and Cardinals] too, and it’s a great venue,” Cora said. “We had a great time. It was the first time, it wasn’t perfect obviously, but I think MLB and the teams are going to do a better job next year. We had a great time here.”

What about the potential impact of the jet lag?

“We’re about to find out,” Cora said. “Like I’ve been saying, I’m not worried about these two games. I’m worried about Toronto and Detroit, how we’re going to bounce back from the traveling. I’ve always said we’re in the big leagues and our travel conditions are pretty good. We stay in good hotels. The meals are great. They get taken care of in the clubhouse. Massage, ice baths and all that stuff. You’re in the big leagues.

“You know when you sign that contract, you sign up for 162 games and you go from San Francisco to Boston, you go to L.A. last year in the World Series and there were no complaints. That’s part of the business, and we understand that.”

Bogaerts back; Benny to bench

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who exited Saturday’s game in the eighth inning with cramping in his calves, was back in the lineup on Sunday.

But the Red Sox were again without left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who missed the last two games before London but started on Saturday.

“Just the turf and trying to take care of him, take advantage of today and [Monday’s off-day],” Cora said. “He’s a go, I just talked to him. But I just felt like taking care of him, put Sam [Travis] in left field and go from there.”

What exactly is bothering Benintendi?

“Just his legs,” said Cora. “Just heavy legs. He felt his quad a few weeks ago. It’s nothing serious, but I think with the conditions ... it makes sense to take advantage of the whole weekend and get him back on Tuesday to start.”