Boy, 7, buried in favourite churchyard after King Charles gave permission
A seven-year-old boy was buried in a closed graveyard that he loved playing in after King Charles III gave permission.
William Brown Jr was killed in a hit and run on December 6 as he went to fetch a football from the road by his home in Folkestone, Kent.
His devastated family wanted to bury him at the Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, which sits beside his school, as he adored playing there.
But the historic graveyard has been shut to new burials since 1855, with only the monarch able to overturn a closure order issued by the Privy Council.
On Christmas Day, William’s mum, Laura, travelled four hours to Sandringham in Norfolk – 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 and just five days later the King and members of the Privy Council said they would lift the order so the family’s wish could be fulfilled.
William Snr said his son would often go to the churchyard at the end of the school day, where he found ‘peace’.
‘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.’
Before William’s service today, a white horse-drawn carriage took the boy’s coffin along the streets in the local area, followed by a hearse carrying flowers.
The procession started from William’s dad’s house, then travelled on to his mum’s house, ending at the church.
His funeral was live streamed, with screens put outside the church, so that all mourners were able to watch it.
Speaking beforehand, William Snr said dealing with the death of his son was extremely tough.
‘I am really struggling, we all are. I cannot begin to explain the pain. I am trying to use the energy I have to sort my son the best send-off and burial he would have wanted.’
Paying tribute to his son he added: ‘Will was loving and caring and he accepted everyone.
‘There are stories of him playing football and people being left out and he’d go and get them.
‘He’d unite everyone because he had that warm heart and loved bringing people together.’
A 49-year-old man was arrested in Dymchurch almost 24 hours after William’s death.
He was questioned by detectives on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and perverting the course of justice.
He has been bailed until 6 March.
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