If you thought Welsh rugby couldn’t get any weirder, think again
AN ANIMAL rights group has called on the Welsh Rugby Union to replace its famous three feathers emblem as part of a protest against ostrich cruelty in the fashion industry.
The call from PETA comes because the Prince of Wales feathers on the Welsh badge depict ostrich feathers.
Investigations by PETA have previously revealed ostrich feathers being farmed at South African slaughterhouses, which supply elite European fashion brands such as Hermès, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.
“Tweaking the team’s kit would help send the message that sparing sensitive ostriches and other birds a miserable life and agonising death is a flap-free affair,” said Yvonne Taylor, PETA vice president of corporate projects.
The campaign is unlikely to ruffle feathers at the WRU three days before the Six Nations final with Wales v England playing Saturday late afternoon.
But this is also not the first time that the WRU has been asked to change its emblem.
Where does the emblem come from?
The WRU emblem features three white ostrich feathers behind a golden coronet.
The badge was originally used by Edward The Black Prince – English commander and heir to Edward III of England – and has represented heirs to the British throne ever since.
Legend suggests that The Black Prince defeated John I of Bohemia in the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and took his helmet – which was lined with ostrich feathers – as a trophy.
The three feathers design has also been said to be inspired by the Fleur-de-Lis, a symbol used in battle by the French king, King Philippe II. However, the Fleur-de-Lis depicts a flower stem and petal as opposed to feathers.
The emblem historically been associated with the Prince of Wales, hence its association with Welsh rugby, and has been the WRU logo since 1881.
Why is PETA campaigning?
PETA’s campaign aims to highlight the cruelty behind the use of ostrich feathers in fashion and design.
In 2015, the charity investigated South Africa’s largest ostrich slaughterhouses, which supply skins to European luxury brands such as Hermès, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.
Footage from the investigation revealed year-old ostriches being forced into stun boxes before having their throats slit.
PETA said that sometimes ostrich feathers are ripped out while the animals are still conscious and then used in costumes for events such as the Moulin Rouge and Rio’s Carnival.
As the world’s largest bird and the fastest land animal on two legs, PETA argues ostriches deserve protection rather than being used as a symbol of Welsh rugby.
Instead, the charity suggests adopting the Welsh dragon, a national emblem that honours Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Prince of Wales.
Previous calls for change
In 2023, a petition calling for the emblem to be replaced with a distinct Welsh symbol gathered more than 10,000 signatures.
“The three white feathers aren’t embraced by everyone in Wales and supporters of Welsh rugby,” said Trystan Gruffydd, who launched the petition.
In 2021, YesCymru also called for the emblem to be changed, proposing alternative designs, featuring national symbols such as the daffodil, harp and leek.
The WRU has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.
