James Cromwell’s Plea to The Queen: ‘Save the Bears!’

Animal-loving actor James Cromwell has written an impassioned plea to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II urging her to back calls for switching to faux fur for the Buckingham Palace Guards’ ceremonial caps.

Cromwell, like many people, was shocked to learn from PETA that these caps continue to be made from the skins of Canadian black bears. It can take the entire hide of one bear to make just one guard’s headpiece. The skins come from bears shot and ensnared in Canada, including many who are shot several times before they die. Some escape the hunters and bleed to death. When mother bears are killed, their cubs are orphaned and left behind to starve.

Cromwell wrote, “As long as the MoD continues to purchase bear skins, bears will continue to be ruthlessly slaughtered. Considering that the vast majority of people in Britain are vehemently opposed to fur, the Palace Guards’ hats can be redesigned to reflect the values of the public. With so many beautiful synthetic options now available, it would be easy for the MoD to maintain the traditions of the Royal Guards without sacrificing the lives of Canadian bears”. Cromwell goes on to urge The Queen, “Please take a progressive, compassionate stand against animal abuse”.

PETA has enlisted high-profile support for the campaign from Sir Roger Moore, Morrissey, Julian Clary, Pamela Anderson, Twiggy, Amanda Holden, Sadie Frost, Jeff Beck and others in calling for a ban on bear fur in the guards’ headwear.

For more information, please go to UnbearableCruelty.com.

Read Cromwell’s letter to The Queen.

The following are some ways you can help:

Donate online now to help stop the killing of bears for their fur. Your donation will also support our many other campaigns to end animal abuse.
Print out PETA’s petition about this issue and collect signatures to show The Queen that Britons won’t tolerate the killing of bears for the guards’ hats.
Write a polite letter requesting a reply and urging The Queen and Prince Charles to call on the Ministry of Defence to immediately stop killing bears while it works on replacing the real fur used to make the guards’ hats with a cruelty-free faux fur:

The Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA

The Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA

Educate others about the horrors of the fur industry. Forward this video to friends.
Sign the online petition calling on The Queen to end the barbaric use of real bear skins for her guards’ caps.