The raging debate about the iconic caps worn by King's Guards – USA Today

The bright red uniform and bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guards outside royal residences and at events like Trooping the Colour are famous worldwide. But the distinctive caps – worn in battle during the 19th century to make soldiers appear more intimidating – are not just iconic but also controversial: They are made from the fur of black bears.
Animal rights groups say it is high time the caps were swapped for faux fur, citing ethical and financial issues. The British Ministry of Defense, however, says swapping to an alternative fabric is not so simple.
“Each cap costs a bear their life,” PETA senior campaigns manager Kate Werner said in an email to USA TODAY. “With modern, high-quality faux fur readily available, there is no excuse to continue using bear fur.”
Werner called on the ministry to “act and develop a humane faux fur cap.”
According to PETA, the ministry purchases the caps from manufacturers who source bear fur from Canada. In Canada, hunters are issued hunting tags by the government, allowing them to kill an allotted number of bears and sell the pelts.
Citing a 2024 PETA video exposé, the association said hunters “often” bait bears with sweet treats before shooting them using high-powered crossbows.
“Many bears are shot several times, and some escape only to die slowly from blood loss, gangrene, starvation, or dehydration,” PETA’s statement said.
In 2024, the ministry ordered 22 new bear skin caps for the King’s Guards, though this figure rose by more than 300% last year, with 96 caps ordered, PETA said, citing Freedom of Information requests.
The bearskins can last up to 20 years if maintained correctly, though some bearskins have been in use for up to 60 years, the ministry told USA TODAY.
The cost of caps is rising. Each cap now costs taxpayers £2,361, or $3,166, PETA said as it called on the governing Labour party to instruct capmakers used by the ministry to switch to faux fur.
Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement to USA TODAY that it was considering changing the iconic headwear but so far had not found a suitable alternative fabric. Fabric for the ceremonial caps needs to be able to maintain its shape over time and be comfortable and safe to wear.
Any alternative fabric would need to meet several requirements, including being as absorbent and as able to dry quickly, as well as looking as good as the bearskins. If those requirements are met, the ministry would then assess a replacement against sustainability and affordability compared with real bearskin.
Approval for “shape and comfort” also would be required, said the ministry, which also cited the historical links to the caps.
The bearskin caps weigh about 1½ pounds, the ministry said. The fur covers a “lightweight frame,” so they are not too heavy for the guards.
“Bearskin caps worn by the five Regiments of the Foot Guards serve an important purpose. They commemorate the history of the Foot Guards whilst representing the nation on a daily basis. This makes the quality of paramount importance,” the ministry said.
The ministry noted that the bear pelts “are product of legal and licensed culls, sourced exclusively from the regulated Canadian market,” and that it procures the minimum number of caps to replace the ones that have “seen extensive use over extended years.” There are more than 380,000 black bears in Canada, according to the Canadian government, and the animals are not endangered or at risk.
Fine fur items – including crowns, hats and ceremonial gowns – have long been a staple of the royal wardrobe. Throughout history, kings, queens and other members of the royal family have donned luxurious fur stoles, floor-length fur coats, capes with mink trims and cloaks with ermine edges (that’s weasel fur).
Queen Elizabeth II often donned fur for public engagements and for trips overseas; the late monarch even rocked real leopard skin in her younger years. In 2006 she attended the State Opening of Parliament wearing a white fur stole that she paired with white gloves and the Diamond Diadem crown, made of 1,333 diamonds.
In 2019, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Elizabeth would not purchase any more real fur outfits, though it noted she would still wear fur items already in her wardrobe. The move was welcomed by animal rights campaigners who saw it as a positive step toward a more modern monarchy.
Two years after her death, Buckingham Palace wrote a letter to PETA in 2024 saying Queen Camilla would continue the fur-free legacy. The letter noted the queen would “not procure any new fur garments,” a move welcomed by the association.

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