A group of 18 UK lawmakers and one peer have petitioned Defence Minister Luke Pollard to replace the real bear pelts used in the King's Guard's ceremonial caps with synthetic alternatives . The push for reform follows allegations of animal cruelty in Canada and a significant increase in recent orders for the traditional headgear.
The jump from 22 to 96 caps since the Labour election
Data obtained through freedom of information laws reveals a sharp increase in the procurement of bearskin headgear. According to the report, orders for the caps surged from 22 in 2024 to 96 in 2025, following the Labour Party's ascent to power. This fourfold increase has intensified the scrutiny on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding the ethics of its supply chain.
The coalition, comprising members from the Labour Party , the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, argues that this increase in orders is "impossible to justify" given modern animal welfare standards. The parliamentarians, including representatives for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, are calling for an immediate suspension of all real bearskin orders.
Crossbows and bagels: PETA's claims about Canadian bear hunts
The current controversy is fueled by a 2024 video released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The footage allegedly shows Canadian hunters using sweet foods, such as biscuits and bagels,to bait bears before killing them with crossbows. PETA claims these animals are hunted illegally to supply the Ministry of Defence (MoD), highlighting injuries that lead to dehydration and gangrene.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disputed these claims, asserting that the pelts are sourced from lawful, licensed hunts governed by Canadian hunting tags.. As the report notes, the MoD maintains that bears are not hunted specifically for the British military, but rather the pelts are a byproduct of existing legal hunting activities.
Why the MoD's water-resistance tests block a faux-fur switch
Despite the political pressure, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) claims that a suitable synthetic replacement does not yet exist.. the MoD specifies that any alternative material must pass stringent tests for water penetration, absorption, drying time, compression, and overall appearance to be viable for the King's Guard.
A spokesperson for the Defence Ministry stated that the organization remains open to collaborating with PETA and other civil society groups to develop a faux-fur solution. However, until a material meets these operational requirements, the MoD continues to rely on real animal pelts.
A 210-year-old legacy from the Battle of Waterloo
The use of bearskin caps is a deeply embedded military tradition dating back to 1815. these headdresses were originally adopted after the Battle of Waterloo to make soldiers appear taller and more intimidating to their opponents. Over two centuries later, they have transitioned from tactical gear to a global symbol of British ceremonial tradition.
This tradition has faced increasing criticism from the public and high-profile figures such as Stephen Fry. The coalition of MPs argues that the legacy of wartime customs should not override contemporary ethical commitments to animal welfare and the elimination of animal exploitation.
The £2,000 price tag and the hunt for a supplier
Beyond the ethical debate, the financial cost of the tradition is significant, with each individual cap costing more than £2,000. The coalition's letter to Luke Pollard suggests that the high cost and the cruelty involved make the current system obsolete.
Several critical details remain unverified or missing from the current discourse. Specifically, it is unclear which exact manufacturers are currently supplying the MoD, and the report does not specify which synthetic materials have already failed the MoD's durability tests.. Furthermore,while the MoD clais to be open to working with PETA, there is no established timeline or formal framework for when these joint development efforts will begin.
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