## End of the King's Guards' bearskin caps? **Campaigners demand change as cost of real fur headwear hits £2,000 each** The iconic bearskin caps worn by the King's Guards could be replaced with faux fur after an animal welfare charity unveiled the shocking cost of each hat. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) revealed that each bearskin cap costs around £2,000 to make, and that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has spent more than £1 million on the caps in the past five years. PETA is now calling on the MoD to switch to faux fur, which is more ethical and cost-effective. The charity's director, Elisa Allen, said: "It's time for the MoD to ditch real fur and embrace modern, humane materials. Faux fur is indistinguishable from real fur, but it doesn't involve the suffering and death of animals." The MoD has said that it is "committed to animal welfare" and that it is "exploring all options" to reduce the cost of the bearskin caps. However, the MoD has also said that it is "important to preserve the heritage and tradition" of the King's Guards. The bearskin caps have been worn by the King's Guards for over 200 years, and they are seen as a symbol of British military tradition. However, the caps have also been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some people arguing that they are cruel and unnecessary. In 2018, a petition was launched calling for the MoD to switch to faux fur, and it was signed by more than 100,000 people. The MoD is now facing pressure from both animal welfare charities and the public to make a change. It remains to be seen whether the MoD will switch to faux fur, but it is clear that the debate over the bearskin caps is far from over.
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