That makes sense. If I remember rightly there was also a much earlier movement against felt hatters by the wool/cap makers guild. It makes sense that there would be some sort of protectionist movement within the home industry in those pre-globalised times.
It is also worth remembering that Edward VII was from the house of Saxe-Coburg and I'm sure his Germanic heritage and natural sense of style would have overridden any thoughts of looking after the British felt industry.
It's a shame he didn't get on with his nephew Wilhelm II, the 20th century would have been very different place! Anyway that's going a good way off topic
