Ministry of Defence Open to Fur Alternatives for Caps

The cost of the bearskin caps worn by the King's Guards at Buckingham Palace has increased by 30% over the past year, now exceeding £2,000 ($2,600) each, according to the Ministry of Defense. The increase in price is attributed to a change in contractual arrangements for fur sourced from bears killed in licensed hunts in Canada. Animal rights group PETA has long campaigned against the use of real fur, citing both ethical and financial concerns, and has offered to provide faux fur for free for a decade. The Ministry stated it is open to exploring alternative materials but has yet to find a suitable option that meets safety and durability standards. The caps, which require one bear pelt each, are a significant expense, with over £1 million spent on them in the past decade. The debate surrounding the caps has garnered public attention, with a petition calling for their replacement amassing over 100,000 signatures.