Boy, seven, killed in hit-and-run is laid to rest in his favourite churchyard ... trends now
A boy killed in a hit and run was today laid to rest in his favourite churchyard after King Charles III gave permission for the burial to take place.
William Brown Jr, aged seven, died on December 6 after he was struck by a car while fetching a football from the road by his home in Folkestone.
He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
He was buried at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe in Folkestone, Kent after his mother hand-delivered a note to the King to get permission.
William's family had to campaign to hold the burial at the historic graveyard as it has been shut since 1855, with only the monarch able to overturn a closure order issued by the Privy Council.
On Christmas Day, William's mother, Laura, travelled four hours to Sandringham - where the Royal Family attended a church service - carrying a personal letter to King Charles to ask for his help. The letter was handed to security staff.
Laura Brown (left) arrives for the funeral of her son William Brown St Mary And St Eanswythe Church, Folkestone
William Brown Jr, seven, was killed when he was knocked down outside his seafront home in Sandgate near Folkestone, Kent while retrieving a football from the road
Mourners attending the funeral of William Brown at St Mary And St Eanswythe Church, Folkestone
William's grieving mother Laura Brown, 41, hoped to bury her son at St Mary and St Eanswythe's Church, which is attached to the primary school where William was a year 3 pupil, but nobody has been buried in the grounds in more than 100 years, since it was closed by Order of the Privy Council
Just five days later, King Charles and members of the Privy Council revealed they would lift the order to support William's family's wishes.
William Snr said his son went to St Eanswythe's school and found 'peace' at the neighbouring church site, where he would often go after classes.
He said: 'After school every day it was a struggle to get him out of the graveyard, collecting conkers and picking wild garlic.
'Our desire is to have William buried within the grounds. William loved digging holes and being a part of the earth.
'My son told me when he was digging that hole with me he felt safe underground. We need him where he wanted to be.'
The grieving father added: 'I am really struggling, we all are. I cannot begin to explain the pain. I am trying to
