Lead: In 1936 Britain was faced with a constitutional crisis provoked by King Edward VIII's desire to marry a American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: By the mid-twentieth century the English monarchy played a largely ceremonial role in the life of the nation. The Crown did what the elected government told it to do: what ministers to appoint, where to travel, even what to say in the governmental speech at the opening of Parliament and in 1936 whom the King could marry. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [5.91 KB] Share