Bearskin Hat Protest
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Anmals) protested against the use of bear skin for the hats of the guards at Buckingham Palace, saying that fake fur should be used instead.
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The spectacle of the Changing of the Guard is a tourist attraction, and you can see why. Actually, these are dancers who had their own version of the Changing of the Guard that seemed to involve changing out of their red and black uniforms.
Being assigned to the guards is prestigious. Here, Queen Elizabeth reviewed her guards. Something tells me that this may have been Photoshopped.
The guards stand at their posts outside Buckingham Palace in their famous bearskin hats. The custom of wearing these hats dates back to the 19th century, intended to intimidate by making the soldier look bigger and taller.
I know that this photo was Photoshopped, because I did it. The hat is real, from the original costume of the guard before I replaced him.
In 2005, PETA staged a naked protest against the use of bearskin for the hats, saying that fake fur would look the same and would not involve killing bears. Here are the PETA protesters in London walking to the protest site.
Then they formed a heap of naked bodies wearing bear masks, representing dead bears.
The Queen's Guards (I suppose they're the King's Guards now) are famous for stoically ignoring the public. People can walk up to them and pose next to them and the guard won't move. Above, Nathan and the Queen's Guards by Ross Watson, 2019. I don't know why Watson put the guards in the mountains, but they're ignoring Nathan.
The guards are trained to remain unflinching at their posts. If they have to pee while on duty, they are instructed to pee in their pants rather than move. Really! One guardsman was quoted as saying that the pants "are sufficiently dark to cover their embarrassment" if this happens. If they faint while on duty, which can happen if it gets very hot, due to wearing heavy uniforms, they faint at attention (above). This is real, not Photoshopped.
What was the result of the PETA protest? Nothing. The British Ministry of Defence said that the bear skins are obtained as a byproduct of legal, licensed bear hunts in Canada, and that the bears would have been hunted whether or not their skins were used for the hats.
14 comments:
the UK is home to historical traditions. They certainly weren't going to let go of the bear's fur. On the other hand, I see that in women's fashion, fur is definitely waning.
I can't imagine that all that many bears are killed specifically to make these hats. Aren't they called "shakos?"
Nice to see UK actor Jamie Bamber featured here. He's gorgeous and has some lovely fur of his own.
Call me an asshat - but there are times when PETA goes too far and should shut up.
I donate to PETA.
It would certainly be a good world IF the Queen actually did review the guards while they were nude like that. The picture of the PETA protest with everyone in a heap, makes me think how nice that would be to participate in!
PETA-- People Eating Tasty Animals?
re: the Queen inspecting the guards... I remember the scene in History of the World Part I when the potential 'companions' for the evening's orgy are lined up for review-- backsides facing the camera, as the lady walks up the line saying, "No... no.. yes... maybe... yes... yes.. YES!!"
Double time... HARCH!
@ PaulMmn -- Princess Nympho (Madeline Kahn). And a MOST memorable scene emablazoned in my memory forever. LOL.
As far as having to pee while in uniform-- these guys need to learn about a "motorman's friend." Basically, a funnel and a hose, worn with a harness like a jock strap. Some models have a built-in container.
Cops on duty sometimes wear them as well. Stand over a grate on the street, and if the hose is positioned properly, no one will ever know!
I find photo #4 just awesome (full-frontal view of muscular guard wearing only bearskin hat). He could guard me any time. I often wondered how Vatican Swiss guards would look wearing only their ruffled collars and medieval hats....and nothing else. Maybe "Unashamed Male" could work on that for a future post: nude Swiss guards!
PETA believes sheep are killed for wool and other such nonsense.
I have to agree. I mean, no one has worn fur since the 80s, so they're tilting at windmills now.
They don't have brand name absorbent adult diapers in England?
Another P.E.T.A.: People Eating Tasty Animals.
Nice job on the photoshop of the beefy dude with the hat!
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