Campaign to end use of real bear pelts for British guard hats
Ministers have been urged by a cross-party group of parliamentarians to end the use of real bear pelts for the hats worn by guards at Buckingham Palace, reports BritPanorama.
In a letter to defence minister Luke Pollard, 18 MPs and one peer called for bearskin caps to be swapped for faux fur in order to “meet today’s ethical standards.” The politicians, drawn from Labour, the Lib Dems, and the Green Party, stated that the Government’s reliance on Canadian bearskin pelts is “impossible to justify.”
The letter highlighted that “both Parliament and the British public have consistently rejected the cruelty associated with the fur trade.” It also reminded Pollard of his previous public opposition to the use of fur, urging him to take leadership in modernizing the caps.
The MPs requested that Pollard direct the Ministry of Defence and its suppliers to proactively collaborate with manufacturers to develop a suitable faux fur alternative, aligning with the Government’s commitment to advancing animal welfare. They emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that bears are still being shot and their pelts used to produce new caps while the process continues.
Furthermore, they called for the suspension of any further orders of real bearskins until a replacement could be secured. Bearskin caps were introduced into the British Army after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 to enhance soldiers’ intimidation in combat, and they are worn by the King’s Guard, the sentries at Buckingham Palace and St James’ Palace in London.
Orders for the tall fur caps have risen more than fourfold since the Labour party took power, increasing from 22 caps in 2024 to 96 in 2025, according to data obtained by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) under freedom of information laws.
The Government has expressed support for replacing bearskin caps with a faux fur alternative and indicated a willingness to collaborate with Peta “should they wish to re-engage.” Peta has actively campaigned for this change, including a petition to Parliament and legal action against the Government.
The previous Conservative government acknowledged exploring the possibility of synthetic alternatives but stated that no material had met the standards of real fur. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson reiterated support for replacing bearskin caps with a faux fur alternative, citing five tests that any alternative must pass.
The discussion reflects broader societal shifts regarding animal welfare and ethical standards in government practices, as calls for reform gain momentum amid evolving public sentiment.
