It stars Oliver Reed, Ernest Borgnine, Raquel Welch, George C. Scott, Charlton Heston, Sir Rex Harrison, and Mark Lester, playing the dual role of Edward VI of England and Tom Canty.

In 16th-century London, a pauper called Tom Canty reading to a group of children is attacked by his cruel father.

Tom escapes by climbing up a wall and through a window, where he falls into a palace garden in front of King Henry VIII, who sets the guards on him.

In the grounds, Henry VIII gives orders for the Duke of Norfolk to be arrested during the masked ball that evening.

In his royal chamber, Edward, Prince of Wales, refuses to wear a costume to the masked ball and his attendants leave him.

At the masked ball, the Duke of Norfolk is arrested, and the king and the guests laugh at Tom's dancing.

Although some of the royal household are suspicious of the sudden change of demeanour of the "Prince" (even going as far as mentioning the possibility that he could be an imposter), they dismiss it as a mere phase.

The day of the coronation arrives, and Edward and Miles race to London after waylaying a horse and cart that Hugh and Edith are in.

Edward halts the ceremony, and he and Tom change back to their original positions, admitting to each other that they were not good at playing each other's roles.

Archbishop Cranmer and other witnesses are stunned until Edward produces the Prince's Seal and takes his position as the rightful King.

Miles' brother Hugh agrees to a divorce from Edith and enjoys a political career in America.

The Duke of Norfolk has his enemies put to death, and Princess Elizabeth later becomes Queen, keeping her promise to take "good care of England".

George Cukor was to direct but he wanted to go back to the original novel and cast an actor to play nine-year-old boys – Mark Lester.

They originally intended to follow up Musketeers with The Prince Malange starring Oliver Reed and Peter O'Toole.