The red feather, or hackle (plume), in the British Army bearskin cap is a regimental insignia that identifies the wearer as a member of the Coldstream Guards.
The Coldstream Guards began wearing red plumes on the right side of their bearskin caps in August 1650 , when the regiment was formed. The red plume distinguishes the Coldstream Guards from other Foot Guards regiments. The Coldstream Guards are the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army.
And yes, despite some controversy, the bearskin is exactly as its name suggests. Bearskin hats are made from the skin of black bears, hundreds of which are killed annually from a large population in Canada. The British Army takes 100 skins for itself.
The Coldstream Guards can also be distinguished from the other Foot Guards by the presence of a red plume (hackle) on the right side of their bearskins. The regiment is ranked second in the order of precedence, behind the Grenadier Guards.
The headdress is worn with full dress by the Waterloo Band of The Rifles, the Royal Horse Artillery and ceremonial detachments at regimental expense. In its hussar version it is now made of black nylon fur, although Bandmasters still retain the original animal fur.
A Guardsman would refer to his headgear as a Bearskin although it is often wrongly referred to as a Busby - a small fur hat approximately eight inches high that is worn by some regiments.
The sharp increase in price is explained by the MoD as the result of a change in the "contractual arrangements" for the caps, which are all made from the fur of bears hunted in Canada. The cost of the caps worn by the King's Guard rose from £1,560 each in 2022 to £2,040 in 2023.
Please, Do Not Touch the Horses When Visiting the Majestic King's Guard at Horse Guards 🐎👑💂 It is not allowed.
Previously, the palace announced that such uniforms would only be worn at the funeral by working members of the royal family who hold military rank — and since both the Duke of Sussex and Prince Andrew left royal life, neither fall under that category.
Since our formation more than 375 years ago, the Scots Guards has forged a reputation as one of the toughest fighting units in the British Army. As a Light Mechanised regiment, we use the Foxhound armoured vehicle to deploy rapidly and engage enemy troops.
Despite their constant use, every effort is made to carefully prolong the longevity of each ceremonial cap. On account of this, they usually last for more than a decade, with some having been in use for as long as 60 years.
There are no bathroom breaks, ever.
What if they're unable to hold their business and really need to go, you ask? They simply just do it anyway, right there on the spot. The thick woolen pants are supposedly able to cover any trace of the “accident.” We're not so sure about the smell though.
The bearskins are designed to cover the eyes of the soldiers slightly so that they stand more upright.
According to PETA, it takes the skin of at least one bear to make a single cap. There are concerns that some of the bears whose fur is used for this headgear are shot several times by hunters and can endure slow, painful deaths.
The Fife and Drum Corps is one of four premier musical organizations of the United States Army and is in steep demand around the world. Members perform using musical instruments and wearing uniforms similar to those used by military musicians of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (then Sophie Rhys-Jones) did not attend Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, reportedly because her strong resemblance to Diana would have been too upsetting for the grieving crowds, a decision made thoughtfully by Sophie herself. At the time, she was dating Prince Edward, but they were not yet engaged or married.
Prince Harry whispered to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, that he hoped she was happy and with his grandfather, Prince Philip, and expressed his admiration for her dedication to duty until the end, as revealed in his memoir Spare. He said he hoped she'd be happy and with Grandfather now, acknowledging her service through the Jubilee and her final duties.
Prince Harry was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) during a 2023 online conversation with trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté, who offered the diagnosis based on reading Harry's memoir, Spare, and their discussion, interpreting ADD as a normal response to stress rather than a disease, a view Harry seemed to accept. This was a self-proclaimed diagnosis by Dr. Maté, not an official medical one, sparking debate about its ethics but highlighting Harry's openness about his mental health struggles, including past substance use and trauma.
There is a protocol they follow which begins with "stamping" (coming to attention sharply). He will also shout: "Stand back from the King's Guard" or similar. If this does not eliminate the nuisance or threat he will repeat the stamp and shout again.
The "3 Fs for horses" stand for Friends, Forage, and Freedom, a widely recognized concept in equine welfare emphasizing natural social interaction (friends), continuous access to fiber-rich food (forage), and ample space for movement and choice (freedom) to ensure a horse's physical and mental well-being. These pillars address core needs, preventing behavioral issues often rooted in confinement and unnatural feeding, promoting happier, healthier horses.
This rug will leave the black bear's head with its mouth open. However, if you need the finished product shipped to you, the price will increase. Additionally, adding a backing material or a leather edge will cost extra. In other words, give yourself a budget of $2,500 to $3,000 for your taxidermy black bear rug.
“Some bears, especially females, can be quite old but never get very large—100 to 125 pounds at 15-plus years.