November 6, 2019: Queen Elizabeth II decides to go (almost) fur-free

Queen Elizabeth II in Alberta. Image from Government of Alberta (via Flickr)

On November 6, 2019, representatives of Queen Elizabeth II has announced that the monarch will cease wearing real fur a decision that animal rights advocates have cheered. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson, on the other hand, made it clear that The Queen will continue to "re-wear existing outfits in her wardrobe."

Angela Kelly, The Queen’s personally hairdresser, has already spilled the details in her memoir before the palace confirmed it. Kelly also revealed that the monarch has an employee wear her shoes in for her before she uses them.

 “If Her Majesty is due to attend an engagement in particularly cold weather, from 2019 onward fake fur will be used to make sure she stays warm,” Kelly wrote in her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, theDresser and the Wardrobe. 

The decision to ditch real fur for faux came after several high-profile fashion houses, like Prada, Versace and Coach, have finally decided against using real fur in their collections.

But there is a caveat. Buckingham Palace, however, told news outlets that Queen Elizabeth II would continue wearing her ceremonial robes and other official garments that are lined with fur.

The Queen’s decision was commended, saying it reflected the mood of the British public toward the use of real fur.

“Our Head of State going fur-free sends a powerful message that fur is firmly out of fashion and does not belong with Brand Britain,” Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society Internationals U.K. division, said in a statement.

Animal rights group PETA also praised  her for this move.

“The queen’s decision is in line with the many forward-thinking consumers, businesses and nations that are recognizing that innovative faux-fur fabrics are better for the environment and spare animals a miserable life and a bloody, painful death,” the group said. PETA further renewed its call for The Queen’s guard to cease using bearskin hats and also opt for fake fur, instead.

Fur has been a part of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe ever since succeeding her father in 1952. In fact, she has been photographed many times wearing them.