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

By James Frater, CNN

London (CNN) — Soldiers in bright red uniforms and tall, black fur hats outside Buckingham Palace are a familiar sight for anyone who’s visited London.

But the distinctive caps – among the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy – have become increasingly contentious for their use of real bear fur.

Now, a group of British lawmakers has called on the government to end the use of real bearskins in the ceremonial headpieces worn by the King’s Guard.

The practice is “impossible to justify” and should be replaced with synthetic alternatives, according to cross-party members of parliament (MPs).

In a letter to Defence Minister Luke Pollard this week, 18 MPs and one member of the House of Lords urged the government to stop using bear pelts sourced from legal culls in Canada and instead adopt faux-fur alternatives.

The lawmakers called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its suppliers to “work proactively with manufacturers to develop and adopt a suitable faux fur alternative, in line with the Government’s commitment to advancing animal welfare.”

The letter said the continued use of real bearskins does not “meet today’s ethical standards” and argued that new orders should be halted while alternative materials are developed.

“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.

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK, which has led several campaigns against the use of bearskins, said Freedom of Information data showed that 22 bearskin caps were ordered in 2024 and 96 in 2025.

In a 2024 campaign, PETA UK said, “it takes the skin of at least one bear to make a single cap” and claimed that the 526 bearskin hats purchased by the MoD between 2017 and July 2024 represented “at least as many slaughtered bears.”

Following the lawmakers’ letter, PETA UK renewed its call for a synthetic alternative, saying in a press release that “the MoD must urgently dedicate its resources to finding a faux fur and end the UK’s support for the slaughter of wildlife overseas.”

A defense ministry spokesperson told CNN the MoD “backs replacing bearskin caps with a faux-fur alternative and we have set five tests any alternative must pass.”

The spokesperson added that the ministry “would be happy to resume work with PETA on an alternative should they wish to re-engage.”

The five requirements from the MoD for any alternatives must cover water absorption, water penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. A replacement material would also need to be approved by serving guards to ensure it retains its shape during ceremonial duties and is safe and comfortable to wear.

A replacement would also need to be assessed for other factors including sustainability, affordability and long-term suitability before being considered as a replacement for real bearskin.

The caps

The bearskin caps are most commonly associated with the King’s Guard, whose soldiers stand watch outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences. They are also a prominent feature of state and ceremonial occasions, including the King’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, and the State Opening of Parliament.

The soldiers who make up the King’s Guard are drawn from the British Army’s five Foot Guards regiments: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards, all of whom wear the distinct bearskin cap on ceremonial duties.

Dating back to the early 19th century, the caps were intended to make soldiers appear taller and more imposing on the battlefield.

Built around a wicker frame, the caps stand at about 45 centimetres (18 inches) tall. The Welsh Guards say they are carefully maintained and are “brushed, steamed and even shampooed” to keep the fur clean and in shape.

With proper care, a bearskin cap can remain in service for decades. Some caps currently in use are more than 40 years old, according to the Welsh Guards.

The UK government said in April that each bearskin cap costs about £2,460 (about $3,300) to procure.

Based on Freedom of Information data, PETA UK estimated that the MoD spent more than £1 million ($1.3 million) on bearskin caps between 2017 and 2024.

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