Members of Parliament from the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party have urged the UK government to replace the real bear pelts used in the bearskin caps worn by Buckingham Palace guards with synthetic alternatives. The cross-party group expressed ethical concerns over the use of real fur, stating that the practice is "impossible to justify." In a letter to Defence Minister Luke Pollard, 18 MPs and one peer requested the Ministry of Defence to collaborate with manufacturers to develop a suitable faux fur replacement that aligns with the government's commitment to animal welfare. The MPs emphasized that both Parliament and the British public have historically opposed the cruelty associated with the fur trade. They pointed out that bears are still being shot with crossbows, leaving cubs orphaned, and their pelts used to create new caps. The group called for an immediate halt to further orders for real bearskins until a faux-fur alternative becomes available. Bearskin caps were first introduced into the British Army after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, as a way to make soldiers appear more intimidating in battle. Today, they are worn by the King’s Guard, who protect Buckingham Palace and St James’ Palace in London. According to data obtained by animal rights group Peta through freedom of information requests, the number of orders for these caps has increased more than fourfold since the Labour Party came to power, rising from 22 in 2024 to 96 in 2025. The UK government has stated that it supports replacing the bearskin caps with a faux fur alternative and is open to working with Peta if they wish to re-engage in discussions. Peta has long campaigned for the replacement of the caps with synthetic materials, including through a petition to Parliament and legal action against the government. The previous Conservative government had explored replacing the caps with a synthetic alternative but found no material that met the standards of real fur. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the department supports the switch to faux fur and has established five criteria that any alternative must meet. They added that they are ready to continue working with Peta on a suitable replacement.