10 January 2024 , 10:28
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Real fur in the bearkskin caps worn by the King's Guards has been used for the past 200 years - but is it time the tradition stopped?
The historic black hats, designed to make the soldiers appear taller and more intimidating, are sported by all five regiments - the Grenadier, Welsh, Irish, Scots and Coldstream Guards - who protect Buckingham Palace and other royal sites. King Charles, and other members of the Royal Family, also traditionally wear bearskins at parades such as Trooping the Colour.
But 'tradition is never an excuse for cruelty', says actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry, who backs a campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) calling for fake fur to be used instead of real bear fur. The comedian, who says it takes at least one bear for each cap, says it's time to 'stop using the fur of slaughtered wildlife'.
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A PETA supporter made an undercover video - narrated by Mr Fry - which purports to show hunters baiting the bears with strongly-scented food, before shooting them with a crossbow. Mr Fry says the animals may not die immediately but later succumb to infected wounds or blood loss. The bears are later disembowelled and it's claimed body parts are used for trophies and their fur sold.
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"By continuing to purchase caps made of black bear fur, the UK government drives demand for pelts and effectively incentivises hunters," says Mr Fry. But a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman told the BBC its pelts are sourced from authorised hunts and a regulated Canadian fur market: "To date and to the department's knowledge, an alternative has yet to meet the standards required to provide an effective replacement for the bearskin ceremonial caps."
What do YOU think? Should the King's Guards ditch wearing bear fur? Take our poll above and share your views in the comments below