Behind the famous hats of Buckingham Palace there is a secret that makes the United Kingdom tremble

The soldiers in bright red uniforms and tall black fur hats in front of Buckingham Palace are one of the most iconic symbols of the British monarchy and an attraction for anyone visiting London. Those characteristic hats, however, ended up at the center of a political and ethical storm: a cross-section of British parliamentarians officially asked the government to put an end to the use of real bearskin for their realization.

In a letter to the Ministry of Defence, 18 MPs and one member of the House of Lords called the practice “impossible to justify”, urging the immediate adoption of faux fur alternatives to meet ethical animal welfare standards.

Crossbow hunting and orphaned puppies: the accusation of animal rights activists

According to what was reported by legislators and the organization UK Mapthe skins used come from legal killings of black bears in Canada. “As the debate continues, bears continue to be shot with crossbows, their cubs are orphaned, and their fur is used to make new hats.”we read in the letter sent to the government.

Data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act reveals that the pelt of at least one bear is needed to make a single cap. Between 2017 and 2024 alone, the British Ministry of Defense purchased over 500 hats, spending more than 1.3 million dollars. Each single piece has a cost of around £2,460 (around 2,800 euros).

How they are made and why they last decades

Dating back to the early 19th century, caps were introduced with a wicker frame approximately 18 inches tall to make soldiers appear taller and more imposing on the battlefield. The soldiers of the five regiments of the Foot Guards (Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards) take care of them with steam, brushes and special shampoos, allowing the hats to last for over 40 years.

As reported by BBCa spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said that the institution supports the replacement of the caps with a faux fur alternative, as long as it passes five rigorous technical tests: water resistance and penetration, aesthetic performance, drying speed and compression capacity, thus ensuring that guards can wear them safely and with maximum comfort during official ceremonies.