Why Canadian sourced bearskin caps worn by Buckingham Palace guards could be replaced with faux fur

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsWorld Why Canadian sourced bearskin caps worn by Buckingham Palace guards could be replaced with faux fur 'The bear pelts currently used are a product of legal and licensed culls, sourced exclusively from the regulated Canadian market,' the U.K. Ministry of Defence said Author of the article: By Ellie Hutchings Published Sep 15, 2026 Last updated 32 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Members of the Scots Guards march onto the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on September 11, 2026 in London, England. PHOTO BY WPA POOL /Getty Images Article content A cross-party group of U.K. MPs have urged the country’s Ministry of Defence to end the use of real Canadian bearskin for hats worn by the guards who stand outside Buckingham Palace. Article content In a letter to defence minister Luke Pollard, 18 MPs and one peer from a combination of the Labour Party, the Lib Dems and the Green Party called for the bearskin caps to be swapped for faux fur to “meet today’s ethical standards”. Article content Article content Article content The letter reads: “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. Article content NP Posted Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “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.” Article content It adds: “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. Article content “The Ministry of Defence must suspend any further orders of real bearskins pending a faux-fur replacement.” Article content The bearskin caps, which were introduced into the British Army after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 to make soldiers look more intimidating in combat, are each made with the pelt of one Canadian black bear. Data obtained by animal rights group PETA previosuly revealed the U.K. Ministry of…