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The queen announces she is going (partially) fur-free

Image via Shrimps

Words by Ruby Staley

Yessss queen.

In the wake of a multitude of luxury fashion houses forgoing the use of real fur including Prada, Versace and Gucci, an unlikely ally has arisen. Queen Elizabeth II, herself, has declared her support for anti-fur movements in a public decision to go faux.

It seems, for the most part anyway, fur is no longer the queen’s thing.

According to the queen’s designer, personal assistant and long-time confidant, Angela Kelly, the 93-year-old matriarch will cease to buy clothing made with real fur.

In her recently released memoir, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe, Kelly wrote:

“If Her Majesty is due to attend an engagement in particularly cold weather, from 2019 onward fake fur will be used.”

A subsequent statement issued by Buckingham Palace, confirmed Kelly’s report – albeit with a caveat. It was clarified that while the queen will no longer purchase fur goods, she won’t be completely ridding her wardrobe of all fur.

Selected ceremonial robes and official garments lined with fur will be safeguarded from the clearout. However, some pieces such as the mink-lined coat she wore to Slovakia in 2008 will be replaced with fake fur.

The queen has been commended by animal rights groups, including PETA, for the move and also, strangely enough, by the British Fur Trade Association in her choice to continue to wear some of her fur pieces.

So, everyone’s happy?

Well, not exactly. Because although faux fur involves less animal cruelty, it’s still not the most sustainable option. The synthetic fibres which make up faux fur are not-biodegradable per se, and the microplastics they leave behind are incredibly damaging to the environment.

But it’s worth paying credit where credit is due and applauding the queen for her royal effort in reducing animal cruelty.

What a queen.

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