It is Medieval England, under the reign of Henry VIII. Times are hard for the poor people on the streets, while in the world of the Royal Court, life is carefree...

As trades people are preparing for the day, a group of local children run wild around the market. They are joined by Tom Canty, the leader of the group, who is soon interrupted by his horrible father, John Canty. John wants Tom to be a pickpocket and is furious when he finds out that young Tom has stolen nothing for him. Lord Somerset then passes through the crowd. Tom starts dreaming of what it would be like to be a Prince and starts to wander towards the palace.

As Tom arrives at the palace gates, a fanfare announces the arrivael of Henry VIII and his son Prince Edward. After Henery VIII has entered the palace, Edward starts playing ball with the other royal children. Suddenly, the ball is thrown and lands by Tom who is watching at the gates. Tom picks up the ball to give it back when a guard grabs him. Edward stops the guard from hurting Tom and leads him to his chambers.

In Edward's private chambers, he asks Tom to tell him about his life. Tom starts to describe the fun games and pickpocketing he shares with his friends. Edward envies Tom's freedom. Noticing that Tom seems to be his age, Edward gets the idea to switch clothes. Looking in the mirror, they realise that they have the same face. Edward is very shocked and touches Tom's arm, which has been hurt by the guard who grabbed him at the gate. Edward hides the Royal Seal so that nobody knows that he has switched clothes with Tom and marches out to tell the guard off for hurting poor Tom. As Edward approaches the guard, he is suddenly thrown into the street. The guard thinks that he is Tom! Edward protests until John Canty appears and takes him away.

Tom is still in Edward's room waiting for him to return. Princess Elizabeth, Mary and Lady Jane come in looking for Edward. Tom tries to hide from them but is soon discovered. Tom starts explaining that he is not Edward and begins to remove his royal clothes. The girls are alarmed and run to tell the King. The King comes looking for Edward and is worried about his behaviour. The King, who is in poor health, is overcome with worry and is lead away leaving Tom alone and relieved.

Back at Tom's home, Edward is called into the room and begins to tell Tom's family that he is Prince Edward. Nobody believes him, and whilst they are all laughing, Edward manages to make an escape from the house.

At the palace, the courtiers are keen to to do anything that Tom wants and he soon settles into the routine of Edward's life.

Meanwhile, Edward manages to make his way back to the palace gates. Edward explains to the guard that there has been a mistake but the guard still does not believe him.

A crowd of townspeople turn on Edward as they do not believe that he is the Prince either. Miles Hendon, a soldier returning from war in France, comes to Edward's rescue. John Canty demands the return of Edward, thinking it is his son Tom, but Miles protects him. Suddenly, the town bell begins to ring. The King is dead.

Miles welcomes Edward to his home. Edward sits down, but is cross when Miles sits, and informs him that no on sits in his royal presence. Edward asks Miles to tell him about himself. Edward is impressed with Mile's tales of heroism and grants him the right to sit. Edward falls asleep and Miles slips away to buy him a new set of clothes. Edward dreams of his faher until he is woken and stolen back by John Canty.

Back at the palace, Edward dresser's assemble his clothes and make Tom ready for the evening's court dance.

On the streets, Edwards refuses to pickpocket for John Canty and ends up being framed for stealing when he has not done anything. The crowd demands that he is punished, however Miles steps forward and insists on taking the punishment himself.

The next day is Coronation day at Westminster Abbey. Courtiers, ambassadors and townspeople gather for the coronation. Tom has accepted his fate and arrives in the coronation robe. Just in time Edward steps forward and shouts "Stop!" The crowd gasps. Guards rush forward, but Tom leaves the throne and goes to Edward. To prove his identity, Lord Somerset demands that Edward produces the missing Royal Seal. To the amazement of everybody, Edward produces the Seal, and the guards seize Tom. Edward orders Tom's release. The Archbishop crowns Edward King of England and the crowd rejoices. "Long live the King!"

The End

Thank you to London Children's Ballet who kindly gave radacadabra permission to use their images and their version of this classic story.