The story of two identical boys, Edward and Tom, one a prince and one a pauper, who are fascinated by each other’s lives and decide to switch clothes for fun. The boys end up being mistaken for each other, and through a twist of fate find themselves living the other’s life. Edward experiences a life of poverty and pain and vows to reign with mercy when he is restored to his rightful place. Meanwhile in the palace, Tom – born a pauper and unaccustomed to the life of a prince – is believed to be mad or ill. When the King dies, will the wrong boy be crowned?