Lucy Davis Urges Andy Burnham to Replace Bear Fur in King's Guard Caps Lucy Davis, battling incurable cancer, asks Prime Minister Andy Burnham to replace real bear fur in King's Guard caps with faux fur to save bears' lives. Lucy Davis, the 53-year-old actress known for her role in The Office, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham requesting urgent action to replace the real bear fur used in the King's Guard's ceremonial caps with faux fur. Davis, who announced in August that she has been diagnosed with incurable stage four breast cancer, has vowed to continue her animal rights advocacy despite her illness. The letter was sent to Burnham, who is also the Mayor of Greater Manchester, but the text refers to him as Prime Minister. Actress Appeals for Urgent Action on Bear FurIn her letter to the Prime Minister, Davis, a lifelong ally of the animal rights group PETA, argued that faux fur has improved significantly and can preserve the tradition of the caps without harming bears. She wrote that there is no reason why the grandeur and tradition of the King's Guards' caps cannot be preserved without costing bears their lives. Davis also expressed hope that she gets to see Britain finally commit to the caps being fur-free, and asked the Prime Minister to make this happen in her lifetime.The Ministry of Defence purchases finished caps from capmakers who source bear fur from Canada. A 2024 PETA video exposé revealed that hunters often bait bears with buckets of sweet food before shooting them with high-powered crossbows, a form of hunting illegal in the UK under wildlife protection laws. PETA says that many bears are shot several times, and some escape only to die slowly from blood loss, gangrene, starvation or dehydration.Davis's Cancer Battle and Continued AdvocacyDavis announced her cancer diagnosis in August, revealing that she first discovered a tiny, hard spot in her breast a year ago and nearly ignored it before seeing a doctor. She said the cancer has metastasised to her bones, which sometimes leaves her unable to stand and walk for long periods. Despite the diagnosis, she has said she is at peace with whatever comes next and is determined to live out whatever might be left of her life in as fun a way as she possibly can.Last month, Davis spoke about her pride after completing a gruelling hike before ziplining through a California canyon. She trekked through Skull Canyon in California's Temescal Valley before an exhilarating zip line 200ft in the air. She explained that she took her pain medication an hour before the hike in preparation for a 25-minute walk, but the hike to the first zip line took one hour and 15 minutes. She expressed gratitude for the support of the guides, her friend, and other hikers who helped her and did not judge her.Background on Bear Fur in Ceremonial CapsThe use of real bear fur in the King's Guard's caps has been a long-standing tradition, but it has drawn criticism from animal rights groups. Davis's appeal comes nearly 20 years after she posed nude for a PETA campaign calling for an end to the use of fur in the ceremonial caps. The campaign highlighted the suffering of bears killed for their fur, and PETA has continued to pressure the Ministry of Defence to switch to synthetic alternatives.Davis is best known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in Ricky Gervais's comedy The Office, and she also starred in the DC film Wonder Woman. She has been a prominent advocate for animal rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about various issues. Her recent letter to the Prime Minister underscores her commitment to the cause, even as she faces her own health challenges.The Ministry of Defence has not yet responded to Davis's letter. The appeal adds to the ongoing debate about the use of animal products in ceremonial military attire, with animal rights groups arguing that synthetic alternatives are now available and can maintain the traditional look. Davis's plea for action within her lifetime highlights the urgency she feels, given her diagnosis.