The huge cost of King’s Guards’ real fur bearskin caps unveiled | UK | News


The iconic bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace now come with a staggering price tag of over £2,000 each, according to newly revealed figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

And the infamous fur hats cost £1 million last year, according to reports.

Made from the fur of Canadian black bears, these ceremonial caps have seen a sharp 30 percent price increase in just one year, raising concerns over both financial and ethical issues.

The rise in cost was disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The group has long opposed the use of real fur, calling the practice outdated and inhumane.

“It’s time to stop wasting taxpayer pounds on caps made from slaughtered wildlife and switch to faux fur today”, Elisa Allen, a spokesperson for PETA, said.

The MoD acknowledged the rising costs, explaining that the increase—from £1,560 per cap in 2022 to £2,040 in 2023—was due to changes in “contractual arrangements” for sourcing the fur.

Despite these rising expenses, the ministry is standing by the use of real fur, citing the caps’ durability and performance in ceremonial events like Trooping the Colour.

In response to ethical concerns, the MoD defended its sourcing practices, stating that all fur used comes from legal, licensed hunts in Canada and that bears are not hunted specifically for cap production.

However, animal welfare campaigners continue to challenge this, accusing the industry of cruelty in the methods used to hunt the bears, sometimes with crossbows, leading to prolonged suffering.

“We are open to exploring faux fur alternatives if they pass the necessary requirements,” said an MoD spokesperson, although they noted that no synthetic material has yet met those criteria.

Over the last decade, the MoD has spent more than £1 million replacing the caps, purchasing 24 new caps in 2023 and 13 in 2022. Supporters of the traditional caps argue that their longevity and iconic status justify their use, but with rising costs and growing ethical concerns, the push for change is mounting.

The conversation around real fur use in the UK has gained traction in recent years, with Queen Camilla publicly stating she will no longer purchase any new fur garments.

Animal rights groups like PETA are hopeful that this shift in royal attitudes will encourage the MoD to move towards more humane alternatives.

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