People are appalled to learn that the UK’s royal guards’ caps are not made of faux fur but that of slaughtered Canadian black bears.
PETA is calling on the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to stop using real bear fur for the ornamental headpieces worn by the King’s Guard and make the ceremonial caps out of modern, high-quality faux fur instead. Please help put pressure on the MoD by urging the Secretary of State for Defence to switch to faux fur.
Where Do the Ornamental Headpieces Come From?
Many people are shocked to learn that the UK’s royal guard’s caps are not yet made of faux fur but from the skins of Canadian black bears. Bears targeted by trophy hunters for their fur and other body parts are often shot but not immediately killed. As many as one bear in seven will escape wounded and die slowly from blood loss or starvation.
In some provinces of Canada, a springtime hunt of bears is permitted. Mother bears seeking food for their cubs are often killed, leading to the death of entire families. Hunters are allowed to kill the bears using a variety of weapons, from guns to bows and arrows, and even high-powered crossbows. In some parts of the country, even spears are legal – a particularly slow and painful way to die.
PETA’s research has revealed no evidence that the black bear skins used for the King’s Guard’s caps come from Canadian government–sanctioned “culls”, as peddled by the MoD. When we submitted a Freedom of Information request to the ministry for details to back up its claim, it was forced to admit that it doesn’t have a clue about its bear fur supply chain. Those who kill the bears and sell their fur are in fact doing so for “fun” and for profit. You can read more about the issue here.
Taxpayers’ Money Is Spent on Bear Fur
In addition to a bear’s life, each cap costs an astounding £2,361, rising by 8% in 2025. More than 1,000 bears have died and become caps in the last decade. Shockingly, despite the Labour government’s promises to prioritise animal welfare, orders of King’s Guard caps more than quadrupled in 2025 - a betrayal of the animals and the public.
Since more than 95% of the UK public refuses to wear fur, using taxpayer money for caps made from bears slaughtered overseas flies in the face of British values.
The MoD Offers Judgement – But No Solutions
Despite decades of work and expense on PETA’s part to develop a suitable faux fur, with luxury faux furrier ECOPEL, the MoD has refused to collaborate with us to move forward with a faux fur. Instead, PETA has been met with brick walls and shifting goalposts, including arbitrary, yet-to-be-determined criteria to meet. The development of a faux bear fur can only be done with full cooperation and engagement from the MoD. You can read more here.
The MoD’s tired excuses are unacceptable. ECOPEL has offered to meet and work with its cap makers to allow any possible adjustments to the fabric free of charge. Yet the ministry has refused the request, blocking any chance of progress.
Take Action Now
Instead of buying caps that are the product of the shameful slaughter of black bears, the UK must set a compassionate example and switch to high-tech, luxurious faux fur. We need to let Secretary of State for Defence John Healey know that bearskin hats are a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Fill out the form below to take action. Clicking submit will send the minister an e-mail.
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