After Peta suggested a faux fur version, the British Army would keep their bearskin hats.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Queen’s Guard’s iconic cap will continue to be made of wild black bears from Canada in the future.
Ministers condemned the proposed fabric design by animal rights activists as not meeting any of the requirements.
According to them, the product’s water shed rate was unacceptable and they performed badly on visual assessment.
After Peta suggested a faux fur version, the British Army would keep their bearskin hats intact. Pictured: The Queen inspecting the guards in 2012
These hats were made from the skin of Canadian black bears, taken every year from Canada’s Black Bear Cull.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Queen’s Guard’s iconic cap will continue to be made of wild black bears from Canada (pictured).
Martyn, a SNP MP asked Martyn Day the Defence Secretary about the faux fur version.
He stated: “What assessment?” [has]His Department made a note of the faux bear fur used to make Queen’s Guard caps. He will be making a statement.
Minister of State, Defence Procuremen Jeremy Quin answered Ben Wallace’s question. Quin stated: ‘Our recent analysis on a faux fur fabric commissioned to PETA showed that it meets one of five criteria for being considered as a viable option for ceremonial caps.
It met all the requirements for water absorption but showed unacceptable water loss rates and failed to pass the visual assessment.
“The Ministry of Defence doesn’t plan on using this manmade fur as an official ceremonial cap. This is because it didn’t conform to the required standards for wearing a cap in all seasons.
In 2014, fake fur was tested and the guardsmen’s headscarves became ‘waterlogged.
London Tourists flock to London’s Guards in traditional hats worn since Napoleon’s 1815 defeat.
Only foot soldiers of certain regiments can wear the ceremonial headscarf, which is only allowed for those who are part of the Grenadier Guards.
These hats are made of fur from Canadian wild black bears.
Last month a row erupted in government over plans to replace the Queen’s Guard’s bearskin hats with ‘cruelty-free’ headwear designed by Stella McCartney.
Zac Goldsmith is the Animal Welfare Minister and has been arguing with Mr Wallace, Defence Secretary, over this issue.
Lord Goldsmith made proposals to Mr Wallace in order to replace the bearskin headwear with one that is fur-free.
He has however privately complained that the Defence Secretary was ‘anti-change’, after his request for hostility.
This follows the calls of Lord Goldsmith, and Carrie Johnson (Prime Minister) to ban fur.
Traditional garments such as robes worn in Lords or Queen’s Guards’ bearskin hats were questioned and would likely be banned.
As guardsmen concern that fake fur may not be sufficiently waterproof, Mr Wallace could become irritated.
The Daily Mail received information from Lord Goldsmith’s Department that stated: “The MoD refuses to compromise on these.
Ministers will continue to push for this. Wallace is thought to be extremely anti-change.
Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II, Colonel-in-Chief, Grenadier Guards, has her photo taken with Guards
Fur sales activists are trying to end the threat to iconic bearskin caps worn by Queen’s guards over more than 200 centuries.
Normally, between 50 and 100 of the 18-inch hats, used by the military since the 1815 defeat of Napoleon, are bought by the Army each year, although the military spent £45,000 on 110 new bearskins last year.
Lady Goldsmith and Miss McCartney, fashion designer and Lord Goldsmith have been close friends for more than a decade. They attend London society parties together and work on common issues such as banning fur trade.
The MoD has tested her design for water resistance and it is made from plastic fiber. Although she has been protesting the hats for a while, sources claim she is more successful with the design she created with Lord Goldsmith.
Lord Goldsmith avoided real fur and wore plastic-based material when he was sworn in to the House of Lords.
Not everyone was impressed by this choice, including fellow Environment Minister Lord Benyon, who said: ‘There’s no way I’d wear a synthetic version like Zac Goldsmith’s — his plastic version looks all bouffant, a bit like Barbara Cartland’s hair.’
Johnson is a prominent advocate for fur bans. Once, Johnson declared that those who wear fur are’sick’ while clothes companies are ‘nuts to sell it.
According to an Army spokesperson, the bearskins worn daily by Guardsmen are part of America’s proud military heritage and identity. Alternatives are not available.
These bearskins are not to be confused with fur-farming.
“Guards bearskins” are made from by-products of Canada’s necessary cull. They are not used for their fur.