Why Buckingham Palace’s bearskin caps might soon be a relic of the past

Pressure grows to replace the King’s Guard bearskin caps

Healfromzero.com – The towering black caps worn by soldiers outside Buckingham Palace have long been part of London’s most familiar ceremonial image. Paired with vivid red tunics, they help create the imposing appearance associated with the King’s Guard. Yet the use of genuine bear fur in those hats is facing renewed political and ethical scrutiny.

A cross-party group of 18 members of Parliament and one member of the House of Lords has urged the UK government to end the use of real bearskins in ceremonial headwear. In a letter sent this week to Defence Minister Luke Pollard, the group argued that the practice no longer reflects modern expectations for animal welfare and should give way to a convincing synthetic material.

“Most urgently, while this process continues, bears are still being shot with crossbows and killed, their cubs orphaned, and their pelts used to produce new caps,” the lawmakers wrote.

The legislators want the Ministry of Defence and its suppliers to collaborate with manufacturers on a faux-fur replacement. They also called for new orders for real fur caps to be suspended while alternatives are developed and tested.

Calls for a modern substitute

The caps are made using pelts obtained from legal bear culls in Canada. Campaigners say that origin does not resolve the wider concern: whether animals should still be killed for a ceremonial uniform item when man-made materials may be capable of delivering the same visual result.

PETA UK has repeatedly campaigned for the Ministry of Defence to stop purchasing bearskins. Freedom of Information figures cited by the organization show that 22 bearskin caps were ordered in 2024, followed by 96 in 2025. PETA UK has said that at least one bear’s skin is needed for each cap.

In an earlier campaign, the group said the Ministry of Defence bought 526 bearskin hats between 2017 and July 2024, a total it said represented at least that many bears killed. It has now repeated its demand for investment in a suitable replacement material.

“The MoD must urgently dedicate its resources to finding a faux fur and end the UK’s support for the slaughter of wildlife overseas,” PETA UK said.

The debate is not simply about a uniform accessory. For supporters of change, it raises the question of whether an institution built on tradition can preserve its public rituals without relying on animal-derived materials. For defenders of the existing hats, durability, ceremonial appearance and practical performance remain central considerations.

Testing remains the key obstacle

The Ministry of Defence has said it supports a move to faux fur, but any alternative must meet demanding standards before it can be adopted. The department has set five core tests covering water absorption, water penetration, visual appearance, drying speed and compression.

Those requirements reflect the reality that the caps are used outdoors during formal duties in Britain’s variable weather. A replacement cannot merely look convincing from a distance. It must retain its form, cope with rain, dry reliably and withstand repeated use without becoming unsafe or uncomfortable for the soldiers wearing it.

Serving guards would also need to approve a proposed material. Their assessment would focus on whether it holds its shape during ceremonial duties and can be worn safely and comfortably. Sustainability, price and long-term suitability would be considered as well before real bearskin could be replaced.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the department backs a faux-fur option and would be willing to resume work with PETA on an alternative if the organization chose to re-engage. The position suggests that the dispute is now less about whether a replacement is desirable than whether one can satisfy the military’s technical and ceremonial expectations.

A symbol with a battlefield past

Bearskin caps are most closely linked with the King’s Guard, the soldiers who stand watch at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences. They also feature prominently at major national events, including the King’s Birthday Parade, widely known as Trooping the Colour, and the State Opening of Parliament.

The guards are drawn from five British Army Foot Guards regiments: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards. Each wears the distinctive headwear when undertaking ceremonial responsibilities.

The caps date to the early 19th century, when their purpose was not primarily decorative. Their height was intended to make soldiers look taller and more formidable on the battlefield. Today, the hats are built around wicker frames and rise to roughly 45 centimetres, or 18 inches.

Despite their historic design, bearskins are not short-lived costume pieces. The Welsh Guards say the fur is brushed, steamed and even shampooed to maintain its condition. With careful upkeep, a cap can remain in use for decades; some currently issued examples are more than 40 years old.

Cost adds another dimension

The financial case has also entered the debate. The UK government said in April that each bearskin cap costs approximately £2,460, equivalent to about $3,300, to procure. PETA UK has estimated that Ministry of Defence spending on these caps exceeded £1 million, or $1.3 million, between 2017 and 2024.

That cost does not automatically establish that a synthetic option would be cheaper over its full lifespan. A replacement would still need to survive years of use and meet the same demanding presentation standards. But it adds to the pressure on officials to establish whether a material can be produced that is durable, affordable and free from real fur.

For visitors, the black caps may remain an instantly recognizable feature of royal pageantry for some time. The political push, however, signals that their future may depend on whether manufacturers can create an alternative that satisfies the guard units, the Ministry of Defence and a public increasingly attentive to animal-welfare concerns.