Worcester boy, 7, whose Royal obsession helped him speak left devastated by Queen's death

Jack Eastwood, who is non-verbal autistic, became obsessed with kings, queens and the Royal Family with the help of his teacher at Perrywood Primary School – a fascination that worked wonders for the boy who struggled with his speech.

Jack’s mum Melanie said her son is distraught by the death of the Queen but is hoping to travel with him to London so he can pay his own tributes – a trip they are currently struggling to afford.

Ms Eastwood, from Ronkswood in Worcester, said: “Jack really struggled with his speech for so long and it was his teacher at Perrywood that really sparked a love of history in him and the Royals. He’s just been completely obsessed. He collects every newspaper article and lots of magazines and books.

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“He was so upset when they announced the Queen wasn’t very well and then when the announcement came that she had passed away, he was devastated. He cried himself to sleep.

“He was still so upset this morning when he went to school, but he took all of his little collection with him to show his friends and everyone at the school was so brilliant with him.”

Jack spends hours fixated on his collection of Royal books and memorabilia and hopes to take his prized Paddington Bear to London with him to pay his respects to the Queen.

“Jack is desperate to go to London one last time to see her flowers and messages,” Melanie said.

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“He really wants to be there on the day of the funeral. How do I explain to him that financially it is just not possible? I really feel he needs to do this to start processing what's happened.

“Some may think it's silly but for the boy who could not speak, his history and the Royal Family has really sparked such an interest in my boy’s life and we really hope we can get him to London.”