THERE were no firm answers to the mystery surrounding Prince Arthur's death, top TV historian Dr David Starkey told a Worcester audience.

Dr Starkey was speaking at the King's School theatre yesterday to round off a series of lectures as part of the Faithful City's commemorations of the tragic Tudor prince's death.

Although his evening talk focused on the essence of Englishness, his afternoon speech asked whether the prince, who many people feel was a constantly ill child, was instead extremely healthy until his untimely death from a possible infectious disease at the age of 15.

He also believes his wedding ceremony, which was the most "spectacular seen in the whole of Tudor England," suggested he was a highly favoured public figure and not an outcast.

"On not one occasion does anyone describe Arthur as a sickly child," he said.

"He goes off to the Welsh Marches and no one describes him as a feeble child. And when his betrothal takes place to Katherine, the Milanese ambassador talks to him. He describes him as '11-years-of age but taller than his peers would warrant'.

"He is a normal healthy boy and not some sort of doomed prince." And he believes a picture of the young heir living in a draughty castle in the middle of nowhere was also incorrect.

"People describing Ludlow Castle as inadequately furnished and in a remote area is rubbish," he said.

"It was highly sophisticated and had been completely rebuilt and constructed. It was an elegant and luxurious building."

The re-enactment of the young prince's funeral to his final resting place at Worcester Cathedral will begin from Worcester City Cricket Club at 6.30pm tonight. The route will slowly make its way along Broad Street, St Swithins Street and the Cornmarket before heading down New Street, Friar Street, College Street and to the Cathedral for 8.30pm.

The Vespers will be heard at the Cathedral at 9pm, followed by the symbolic horse carrying Prince Arthur to his final resting place after the service.