How are bearskins made?

It's called a 'bearskin', a type of ceremonial military cap that dates back to the 17th century. And yes, despite some controversy, the bearskin is exactly as its name suggests. Bearskin hats are made from the skin of American black bears, taken annually during the Black Bear Cull in Canada.

Where do the guards get their bearskins from?

Answer. Answer: The origins are that every gunner in the British military and the French military wore bearskin caps to make them taller and more intimidating because they were the ones that did the hand to hand fighting. In Napoleon's imperial guard everybody wore them, and they were supposed to be his elite troops.

What are Grenadiers hats made of?

At the battle of Waterloo in 1815, the First Regiment of Foot Guards defeated the grenadiers of Napoleon's Guard. They were rewarded with the title of Grenadier Regiment, with every soldier allowed to wear a bearskin. The hats are made with the skin of black bears taken each year from Canada's Black Bear Cull.

Do the Coldstream Guards wear real bearskins?

For perhaps the last 200 years, five regiments of the Queen's guards — the Grenadier, Welsh, Irish, Scots and Coldstream Guards, who protect Buckingham Palace and other royal sites — have worn real bearskin hats. According to reports, the army's hat manufacturer buys roughly 100 Canadian black bear skins each year.

Do the Queen's guards still use real bearskin hats?

Currently we have no plans to end the use of bearskins. Bear pelts that are used are the by-products of a licensed cull by the Canadian authorities to manage the wild bear population. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the MOD.

How to make bearskins worn by guardsmen

How do the Queen's guards go toilet?

6. No Toilet Break for the Dedicated Soldiers. The Queen's guards are so dedicated to their position that they can't even leave their post for a toilet break during their working shift. They must all have pretty strong bladders!

Are bearskins real fur?

The standard bearskin for the British foot guards is 11 inches (280 millimetres) tall at the front, 16 inches (410 millimetres) to the rear, weighs 1.5 pounds (0.68 kilograms), and is made from the fur of the Canadian black bear.

Why do the Queen's guards stomp?

According to a report by DailyMail, the Queen's Guards are given specific orders to deal with obstacles that may come on their marching route. They are allowed to shout 'Make way for the Queen's Guards' and also stomp their feet.

How heavy is a Guards bearskin?

The standard Bearskin worn on parade by a guardsman is 18 inches tall and weighs one and a half pounds.

Are bears killed for bearskin hats?

About the Bears

Bears are cruelly killed for their pelts by being shot or ensnared, sometimes for days, in painful traps. During hunts, as many as one bear in seven doesn't die immediately after being shot. Some escape wounded and die slowly from blood loss or starvation.

How heavy are the Queen's Guards hats?

The standard bearskin cap of the Foot Guards is 18 inches, yet weighs just 1.5 pounds. That's because the bearskin is stretched over a basket-like framework to which an adjustable leather skullcap and chin strap are attached for a secure fit.

How much do Queens guards get paid?

After getting an acceptable score on the BARB test, a soldier is ready to join the Queen's Guard. The salary for this job is paid based on a list defined by the British army, with values starting at £20,400 (or around $28,266).

Do the Queen's guards have guns?

The Guard's intimidating weapons only have ammo in them when they are aware of a potential serious security threat. The guard on Reddit, who uses the username “nibs123,” says that he has never carried a loaded gun as a Guardsman.

Are there any female Queens guards?

Captain Megan Couto has become the first female ever to lead the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace.

How long does a bearskin hat last?

The bearskin hats cost $1,218, and can last 20 to 40 years through wind, rain and sun exposure. The army said bears are not killed expressly for their fur. Each year the army's hat manufacturer buys roughly 100 pelts from an annual cull of tens of thousands of Canadian bears.

Why are the Queens Guards hats so tall?

"The idea was that you made your foot soldiers look taller and therefore more fearsome," said Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator based in London. "They used to fulfill a practical need for a foot soldier in battle. They were used when fighting the French in the Napoleonic wars.

What's the difference between a busby and a bearskin?

The shorter busby was popular with hussar, yeomanry and cavalry regiments, while the bearskin is most associated with grenadier and fusilier regiments such as your father's Kitchener-based Scots Fusiliers.

Why is a bearskin called a busby?

Busby is the English name for the Hungarian prémes csákó ("fur shako") or kucsma, a military head-dress made of fur, originally worn by Hungarian hussars. In its original Hungarian form the busby was a cylindrical fur cap, having a bag of coloured cloth hanging from the top.

What happens if you touch a Queen's Guard?

If idiots act threateningly towards the Royal Family, the Queen's Guard, or the general public around them, they will stop you. If you touch their bear-skin hat, they'll probably ignore you or shout at you. If you grab their rifle, the next thing you'll see is the end of their barrel.

Why are The Queen's guards not allowed to move?

While on duty, Queen's Guards are not supposed to move or respond to anything that the tourists may throw at them. However, the rules indicate that after being still for at least 10 minutes, they can march up and down the street in order to stretch their legs and avoid passing out.

Can you take a picture with a Royal Guard?

You're definitely welcome to have your picture taken with the Guards. They're used to it and it won't be an issue.

Do you have to be Welsh to be in the Welsh Guards?

We are incredibly proud of our Welsh heritage, and most of our soldiers are from Wales or have Welsh roots, but we also welcome recruits from across the UK and Commonwealth. Wherever you are from, you will be welcomed into our family Regiment.

How long do the Queen's guards have to stand for?

Typically, a Guardsman spends two hours on duty and four off. He is not expected to stand still for any more than ten minutes at a time. Every so often, he will march up and down in front of his sentry box, rather like a policeman "walking the beat".

How much do royal housekeepers make?

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is hiring a live-in housekeeper. Max Mumby/ Indigo/ Getty Images. Queen Elizabeth II is hiring a housekeeping assistant to live and work at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The starting salary is £19,140.09 ($25,000) and the successful applicant will work full-time for five days per week.