Animal rights campaigners are celebrating after it was revealed that the Queen will no longer be wearing fur in her new outfits and any new clothes designed for her will use fake fur instead.
The decision was revealed in the new book by her dresser. In the book, The Other Side of the Coin: the Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, Angela Kelly wrote: “If Her Majesty is due to attend an engagement in particularly cold weather, from 2019 onwards fake fur will be used to make sure she stays warm.”
However, in response to the news, a Palace spokesman said: “We are not suggesting that all fur on existing outfits will be replaced, or that the Queen will never wear fur again. The Queen will continue to re-wear existing outfits in her wardrobe.”
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Campaigners have welcomed the move. The Humane Society International said it was “thrilled that Her Majesty has officially gone fur-free,” adding: “Queen Elizabeth’s decision to ‘go faux’ is the perfect reflection of the mood of the British public, the vast majority of whom detest cruel fur, and want nothing to do with it.”
However, The Times asked what, or who, is behind the decision. “Is it because [the Queen] realises that the weight of public opinion is now opposed to fur? Or is it Ms Kelly who has had the change of heart?” it asks.
According to The Sun, “Her Maj” has often been criticised by animal rights campaigners for fur outfits. The Queen has worn an ermine and velvet robe at the State Opening of Parliament.
The tabloid also notes that in 2010 Camilla was accused of wearing a real fur coat on a trip to Warsaw and that “Kate wore a mink hat to Cheltenham races in 2006 before her marriage to William”.
Princess Anne and daughter Zara Tindall have appeared to wear fur in recent years but Meghan has never been pictured in fur and has been described as “vegan fashion royalty”.
Despite the shift, The Times notes two facts about the Queen: “Her family still shoots. And she certainly has not become vegan.”
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