Bearskin caps worn by King's Guards should be replaced with fake fur alternative, MPs say

A cross-party group of MPs is urging the government to stop using real bear pelts to make the hats worn by the King's Guard and use fake alternatives instead.

In a letter to Defence Minister Luke Pollard, the group of 18 MPs and one peer across three parties - Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens - said the bearskin caps sourced from Canada should be replaced with fake fur to "meet today's ethical standards", adding that real bearskin is "impossible to justify".

"We call on you to instruct the Ministry of Defence 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 continued, referring to Mr Pollard's previous opposition to real fur.

"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," it concluded.

According to FOI data obtained by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), orders for the caps have risen from 22 in 2024 to 96 in 2025.

The previous Conservative government said it had investigated a synthetic replacement, but no material had met the standards of real fur.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The MoD backs replacing bearskin caps with a faux fur alternative and we have set five tests any alternative must pass.

"We are happy resuming work with PETA on an alternative should they wish to re-engage."

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Bearskin caps were introduced into the British Army after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 to make soldiers look more intimidating in combat.

They are worn by the King's Guard, who stand guard outside Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace.

(c) Sky News 2026: Bearskin caps worn by King's Guards should be replaced with fake fur alternative, MPs say