Soaring Cost of King`s Guards` Real Fur Bearskin Caps Revealed

The ceremonial bearskin caps worn by soldiers guarding Buckingham Palace now cost over £2,000 each, according to figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The price of these iconic caps, made from the fur of black bears, has surged by 30% in just a year, following a change in "contractual arrangements" for the caps, which are sourced from bears hunted in Canada. Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has raised concerns not only about the ethical implications of using real fur but also the rising financial cost. They estimate that over £1 million has been spent on these fur caps in recent years.

While the MoD has expressed openness to exploring faux fur alternatives, they emphasized that any replacement must meet "safety and durability considerations." So far, no synthetic option has passed the required standards. The cost of each bearskin cap increased from £1,560 in 2022 to £2,040 in 2023, with 24 new caps purchased in 2023 and 13 in 2022. Despite the cost, supporters of using real fur argue that these caps are long-lasting and retain their quality for ceremonial events like Trooping the Colour. Peta has been vocal in calling for the MoD to "stop wasting taxpayer pounds on caps made from slaughtered wildlife" and to switch to faux fur immediately. They highlight the cruelty involved, noting that it takes the fur of one bear to make each bearskin cap. Criticism has also been leveled at the hunting practices used in Canada, though the MoD insists that all fur is sourced from legal, licensed hunts and that bears are not "hunted to order."

Labour's former shadow defence minister, Stephanie Peacock, called for a review of the use of real bear fur, urging that traditions must "develop and adapt" to survive. Now with Labour in government, the MoD has reiterated that they would welcome faux fur samples for testing, provided the material meets necessary performance standards, such as water absorption and shape retention. ⚡ Image Credit: GettyImages