A grieving grandmother has paid tribute to her teenage granddaughter who captured the heart of Prince Charles, after she died from a rare disease.

Pam Button, of Campion Crescent, Cranbrook, says 17-year-old Hayley Okines will be remembered for her sense of humour, wit and love she gave her family.

She died on Thursday, April 2, after spending her life battling progeria, a disease that causes sufferers to age eight times faster than normal.

The condition is so rare it is believed that fewer than 100 people in the world have it.

Her funeral took place in Bexhill on Wednesday. Mrs Button said: “She was so full of life and really loved her music.

“I will remember her sarcasm and wit. She would laugh at silly things and I couldn’t have wished for a better granddaughter.

“She was just amazing and her funeral was amazing. There were so many people there, even people we didn’t know, which shows how much people cared for her.”

"I so well remember meeting Hayley... and was deeply impressed by her incredible spirit and her infectious love of life..." - Prince Charles

At her funeral, Prince Charles was among those who paid tribute to the teenager. He sent a letter which said: “I so well remember meeting Hayley at the Children of Courage event at Westminster Abbey back in 2004 and was deeply impressed by her incredible spirit and her infectious love of life.”

More than 50 family members attended the funeral, with Hayley’s two older sisters carrying her coffin into the church, along with their mother.

Speaking at the ceremony, mother Kerry Okines said: “I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you, hearing your laugh or having a kiss from you. You fly high with the angels until we meet again.”

Speaking after the ceremony, her father, Mark Okines, said: “I’m very proud. Hayley was an inspiration all of her life and she is continuing to do that now and she will continue to do that for a long time to come.”

Supporters of Hayley have also started a petition to have a memorial garden created in her memory, which has been signed by more than 2,000 people.

To support the campaign, click here.