Prince Edward, Prince of Wales Inspecting Working Class Homes in the North of England, 1929. The Great Depression. In Britain the King [George V] was sick and convalescing, so in his place the Prince of Wales [the future King Edward VIII, in bowler hat] went down to inspect the worst spots to see for himself..."Something must be done", he said. From "Time to Remember - 1929 The Time Of The House At Bognor" - Reel 4; a documentary about the world in 1929. Illness of King George V & economic depression.