Tom Canty, a hopeful young pauper with an alcoholic and abusive father, has a chance encounter with the young Prince of Wales, Edward VI, outside of the palace. Discovering an uncanny resemblance to each other, the two boys switch clothes and lives—the prince heading for the streets of London while Tom remains at court. As each boy experiences life on the other end of the social scale, both learn valuable lessons about the roles they play in society and their corresponding responsibilities.