Clothes using real fur will no longer be designed for Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters
Clothes using real fur will no longer be designed for Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters
Clothes using real fur will no longer be designed for Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters
Clothes using real fur will no longer be designed for Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters

Queen Elizabeth II follows in footsteps of fashion labels by going fur-free


Emma Day
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She has sported fur stoles and animal skin coats during several evening occasions during her reign, but fur will no longer find a place in Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe.

The British monarch will only wear faux fur from this year, Buckingham Palace confirmed after the queen's senior dresser made the revelation in her newly released autobiography.

In her book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, to which the queen gave her blessing, Angela Kelly said the royal would now be following the fur-free movement.

In this photo from 1969, Queen Elizabeth II is pictured wearing fur. AFP
In this photo from 1969, Queen Elizabeth II is pictured wearing fur. AFP

"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," wrote Kelly, who has worked with the queen for 25 years.

Buckingham Palace told The Telegraph that "as new outfits are designed for the queen, any fur used will be fake".

The palace's response only mentions new garments, however, meaning that the queen could still wear wear existing fur items in her wardrobe, such as the ermine-lined Robe of State.

"We are not suggesting that all fur on existing outfits will be replaced, or that the queen will never wear fur again," a Buckingham Palace representative told Harper's Bazaar US.

Kelly said a coat worn by the Queen in Slovakia in 2008 had since been updated to remove a mink trim.

The news was welcomed by animal rights organisations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"The queen's decision is in line with the many forward-thinking consumers, businesses and nations that are recognising that innovative faux-fur fabrics are better for the environment and spare animals a miserable life," Peta said.

The monarch's announcement follows similar decisions by some of the world's most well-known fashion labels.

  • Michael Kors went fur free in 2018. Kors pre fall 2019
    Michael Kors went fur free in 2018. Kors pre fall 2019
  • Jean Paul Gaultier decided to stop using fur in November 2018. Haute couture summer 2019
    Jean Paul Gaultier decided to stop using fur in November 2018. Haute couture summer 2019
  • Having used fur in her collections for years, Donatella Versace made Versace fur free in March 2018
    Having used fur in her collections for years, Donatella Versace made Versace fur free in March 2018
  • Now owned by fur free Michael Kors, shoe lable Jimmy Choo is now also anti fur
    Now owned by fur free Michael Kors, shoe lable Jimmy Choo is now also anti fur
  • When Riccardo Tisci took over at Burberry in September 2018, he declared the end of fur at the house
    When Riccardo Tisci took over at Burberry in September 2018, he declared the end of fur at the house
  • Giorgio Armani is one of the most respected figures in fashion, and declared his house to be fur free in 2016
    Giorgio Armani is one of the most respected figures in fashion, and declared his house to be fur free in 2016
  • Gucci vowed to switch to faux fur in mid 2018 and has since vowed to stop using angora.
    Gucci vowed to switch to faux fur in mid 2018 and has since vowed to stop using angora.
  • Chanel bowed to pressure, and announced last December it would halt the use of fur
    Chanel bowed to pressure, and announced last December it would halt the use of fur
  • A lifelong campaigner for animal rights, Stella McCartney has never used fur
    A lifelong campaigner for animal rights, Stella McCartney has never used fur
  • Coach stopped using fur in 2018.
    Coach stopped using fur in 2018.
  • Prada has just announced it will be fur free from sping summer 2020
    Prada has just announced it will be fur free from sping summer 2020

In May, Prada announced it would not have fur in its its spring / summer 2020 collections, while Gucci made the same pledge in 2017. Michael Kors, meanwhile, went fur-free in 2018, as did Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace and Burberry, and Armani stopped using fur back in 2016.

Last month, California became the first US state to ban fur products.