700-year-old rule bans royals from wearing fur but even the Queen has broken it

We all know that even the Royal Family has rules to follow. From what they eat to what they wear, there’s quite a lot to get the hang of when you’re part of the family. And 700-year-old rule rule bans the Queen from wearing fur, according to her official dresser. Edward III, who ruled from 1327 to 1377, banned anyone from wearing fur in the Fur Act of 1337, including royals.

Although it allowed for limited exceptions, it effectively prevented anyone from wearing fur as part of their outfit, even royalty. However, some state events such as the opening of Parliament still require the monarch to be dressed in fur. According to the Queen’s royal dresser, Angela Kelly, the Queen stopped wearing new clothes featuring real fur from 2019, and designers now use faux fur instead.

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The move included removing real fur from some of her favourite outfits, such as mink from a much-loved coat. But other aspects of the royal household still rely on fur, such as the Queen’s Guard’s bearskin hats. Other members of the royal family have also been seen breaking Edward’s rule, including the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Anne.

The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla once received such severe backlash over a fur hat that she bought a series of faux fur replicas. The hat itself was made from vintage fur which has belonged to her grandmother.

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Fur hats have been a royal staple in the past, but are now seen increasingly rarely. Since she received the criticism, Camilla has mostly worn faux fur replicas of her favourite fur styles. Unlike other royals, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has never been pictured wearing fur, earning her praise for more sustainable fashion.

Although the government is considering an outright ban on fur imports, it is still legal to import skins of endangered species into the UK, as long as the importer has a valid licence to do so.

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