Animal Rights Groups Object to Buckingham Palace Guard's Distinctive Bearskin Caps

Activists call for an end to the use of bearskin in the caps worn by the Queen's Guard, citing animal cruelty and the availability of alternatives.

The caps are made from the fur of Canadian black bears, which are killed each year for their pelts. The bears are often killed in leg-hold traps, which can cause them to suffer for hours or even days before they die.

Animal rights groups have long protested the use of bearskin in the Queen's Guard's caps, arguing that it is cruel and unnecessary.

In 2019, the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) launched a campaign to end the use of bearskin in the caps, and has since collected over 100,000 signatures on a petition calling for a change in policy.

The group argues that there are many alternatives to bearskin that could be used in the caps, such as synthetic fur or wool.

The Ministry of Defence has said that it is "committed to animal welfare" and that it is "exploring alternatives" to bearskin.

However, the ministry has also said that the use of bearskin in the caps is a "long-standing tradition" and that it is "important to preserve the heritage" of the Queen's Guard.

The debate over the use of bearskin in the Queen's Guard's caps is likely to continue for some time.