According to a new memoir released by the Queen's dresser and personal advisor, Angela Kelly, the Queen's future outfits will no longer be adorned with real fur.
"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," Angela wrote in her memoir, according to The Telegraph.
Buckingham Palace has since confirmed the statement, with the caveat that any existing fur-items will continue to be worn, telling Harpers Bazaar:
"As new outfits are designed for the queen, any fur used will be fake. 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."
Animal rights groups have expressed approval for the move however have called on the Queen to also extend to ceremonial garments such as the Robe of State.
'With growing awareness about the terrible cruelty caused by fur production, it is certainly positive to hear that the Queen will no longer be using real fur in her new outfits. It is abhorrent that to this day, animals are still condemned to appalling suffering for the sake of fashion, and we are encouraged that the Queen is taking steps to avoid contributing to this. We hope that this policy will also extend to ceremonial garments such as robes," animal rights group Animal Aid said in a statement.
The Humane Society also joined the chorus of praise saying:
"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. Our Head of State going fur-free sends a powerful message that fur is firmly out of fashion and does not belong with Brand Britain."
