In a significant move, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Queen Camilla will no longer purchase clothes containing animal fur. This decision, communicated through a letter to the animal rights group PETA, marks a noteworthy shift in the Queen’s approach to fashion.
The letter stated, “Her Majesty will not procure any new fur garments.” However, it remains unclear what stance will be taken regarding existing fur items in her wardrobe.
This decision follows a precedent set by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who stopped buying new fur products in 2019. Queen Elizabeth’s senior dresser, Angela Kelly, revealed in her book, “The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe,” that fake fur would be used for the Queen’s attire during cold weather engagements from 2019 onwards.
PETA, which had reached out to the Queen in April detailing the cruel practices of the fur industry and its environmental impact, welcomed the news. Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s founder, praised Queen Camilla’s decision, stating, “PETA is toasting Queen Camilla with a glass of the finest claret for standing with the 95% of British people who also refuse to wear animal fur.”
PETA encourages individuals to donate existing fur items to its “fur amnesty program,” which redistributes them to those in need, such as the homeless, refugees, and people in war-torn areas. According to PETA, “We can’t bring back the animals who suffered for these coats, but we can use old furs to help humans who desperately need them.”
This move by Queen Camilla reinforces a growing trend against the use of animal fur in fashion, aligning with the values of many in the UK and beyond.
