Push to Replace Bearskin Caps Worn by King’s Guards

An ongoing campaign by an animal rights group is targeting the use of real bear fur in the iconic bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guards at Buckingham Palace. On Thursday, the group highlighted the rising costs of these ceremonial hats, with prices soaring by 30% in just one year.

The Ministry of Defense revealed that the price of each cap, made from black bear fur, has risen to more than £2,000 ($2,600), according to a freedom of information request by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In response, PETA issued a statement urging the government to stop wasting taxpayer money on what they describe as “slaughtered wildlife” and to make the switch to faux fur.

A luxury faux fur company has even offered to supply the army with free imitation bear fur for the next decade, PETA said. While the military remains open to alternatives, they claim no faux fur has yet met the necessary standards for durability, water protection, and appearance. The iconic tall black hats are worn by guards during the changing of the guard ceremony and other royal events, making their appearance crucial.

In just the past decade, more than £1 million ($1.3 million) has been spent on these bearskin caps. The increase in cost is partly attributed to a change in contracts for fur, which comes from bears killed during licensed hunts in Canada. Each cap requires one bear pelt, according to PETA, which has spent over two decades campaigning to end this practice.

The Ministry of Defense denies claims that purchasing bear pelts supports the Canadian hunting industry, arguing that ceasing to buy the fur wouldn’t reduce the number of bears killed. However, critics, including members of Parliament, have expressed concern over the violent methods used in bear hunting and the moral implications of continuing this tradition.

Public sentiment also appears to be shifting. A 2022 poll showed that 75% of the U.K. population opposed the use of real bear fur, viewing it as an unnecessary expense. In the same year, Parliament debated the issue following an online petition with over 100,000 signatures calling for the caps to be made from fake fur. Even members of the royal family are moving away from fur. Queen Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, pledged to stop buying fur earlier this year, while Queen Elizabeth II had already ceased wearing fur before her passing.

Please sign this petition to Help End Badger Culling in the UK!

Related Content:

• Stephen Fry Campaigns Against Bearskin Caps Worn by the King’s Guards Outside Buckingham Palace
• King Charles Seeks Vegan Sous Chef for Buckingham Palace
• Queen Camilla has Committed to Buying No More Real Fur
• Kings Guards Continue to Wear Bearskin Hats with No Plan to Replace Them
• Simon Pegg Joins PETA and Demands Ministry of Defense Replace Bearskin Caps

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!