One of Britain’s most recognisable military traditions could face being axed after MPs demanded the King’s Guard ditch real bearskin hats to meet “today’s ethical standards”.
A cross-party group of 18 MPs and one peer has urged the Government to replace the famous caps worn outside Buckingham Palace with fake fur.
The parliamentarians, from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, declared the continued use of bearskin sourced from Canada “impossible to justify”.
The intervention targets a British military tradition stretching back more than two centuries, with bearskin caps introduced into the Army following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
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In a letter to Defence Minister Luke Pollard, the MPs called for the caps to be “modernised” and demanded that further orders of real bearskin be suspended while a faux-fur alternative is developed.
The letter said: “Both Parliament and the British public have consistently rejected the cruelty associated with the fur trade.
“You, yourself, have publicly expressed opposition to the use of fur.
“The Government’s continued use of real bearskin is impossible to justify. This moment calls for leadership and modernising the caps to meet today’s ethical standards.
“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 MPs also raised concerns about how the animals used for the caps are killed.
They added: “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 Ministry of Defence must suspend any further orders of real bearskins pending a faux-fur replacement.”
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The distinctive caps are worn by the King’s Guard, whose sentries protect Buckingham Palace and St James’ Palace in London.
They were originally adopted following Britain’s victory at Waterloo to make soldiers appear taller and more intimidating on the battlefield.
Despite the campaign to abandon real fur, orders for bearskin caps have increased significantly in recent years.
Figures obtained by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) show orders increased from 22 caps in 2024 to 96 in 2025.
Peta has campaigned for years for the military to adopt faux fur, including through a parliamentary petition and legal action against the Government.
The previous Conservative Government considered replacing the caps with a synthetic alternative but said no material tested had met the required standards of real fur.
The current Government has backed replacing bearskin caps if a suitable alternative can be found.
An MoD spokesman 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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