William Brown: Mother thanks King Charles for burial permission

William Brown was killed in a suspected hit-and-run on 6 December

The mother of a seven-year-old boy killed in a suspected hit-and-run crash has thanked the King for permitting his burial in an ancient graveyard.

Laura Brown, from Folkestone, said her family had been "blessed with a miracle" and her son could "finally be laid to rest at a place he loved".

William Brown was struck on Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone on 6 December.

The privy council announced on Friday that King Charles III had granted permission for the burial.

William's funeral will now take place at 14:00 GMT on 13 January, at St Mary and St Eanswythe Church, Ms Brown told the BBC, adding that everyone was welcome.

"I want to say a huge thank you to the King," she said.

"King Charles is a wonderful, honourable and compassionate gentleman and we as a family have so much admiration for him.

"While this is a very sad time for our family, we have been blessed with this miracle from the King and our son, William, will now, finally, be laid to rest at a place he loved."

Petition

The church had been closed to new burials since 1855 but monarchs have the power to grant "burial ground variation orders".

Almost 4,000 people had signed a petition supporting William's parents in their call for William to be buried at the church.

A spokesperson for the privy council said on Friday: "We are pleased that His Majesty The King, on the advice of his privy council, has granted permission in order to support the family in these tragic circumstances.

"The Brown family and the local community in Folkestone are in our thoughts at this difficult time."

A 49-year-old man arrested after the crash has been bailed until March pending further inquiries, according to Kent Police.

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