The King, known to his family as David, vowed he could not be monarch without Mrs Simpson by his side but, as head of the Church of England, he could not marry a divorced woman – let alone one who was divorced twice.

While his family urged him to leave Mrs Simpson, David followed his heart and the crown went to his stammering and unambitious younger brother Bertie.

These are events from the 1930s that are still highly relevant today, with echoes of the Prince Charles story of modern times.

And this modernity is brought to the fore in Royce Ryton's Crown Matrimonial, showing at Theatre Royal Brighton.

Set in Queen Mary's private sitting room at Marlborough House, London, Ryton conjures up the story through imagined but lifelike meetings between members of the royal family between 1936 and 1945.

Rufus Wright plays a determined and headstrong David, prepared to stand up to the disgust of "the family" and prime minister Stanley Baldwin for the love of his life, a difficult part as the baddie of the piece.

This was no mean feat when the family concerned was the likes of the formidable Queen Mary and – in this play – a feisty Elizabeth, Duchess of York, later to become our Queen Mum.

Loyal Elizabeth, who burst into fits of anger on the plight of husband Bertie, was captured well by Emma Handy.

Patricia Routledge suited the part of Queen Mary, evoking the cold experience of monarchy but her character's known difficulties with outwardly showing maternal love and also bringing some laughs with her sharp and witty lines.

Routledge's infamous character Hyacinth Bucket would be proud could she see the royal heights she has reached.

Bertie's nervous character was conveyed well by Richard Hansell, who had the stammer to contend with of the man who wanted to be King like a hole in the head.

Directed by Brighton-born David Grindley, Crown Matrimonial is at Theatre Royal Brighton until July 19. Tickets are £17 to £27 from the box office on 08700 606 650, groups hotline on 08700 606 617, access bookings on 0871 297 5477 or click here

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