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Connie Yates and Chris Gard have given up all hope that experimential treatment in America could save their beloved 11-month-old baby. Charlie's mother told the court: "This is one of the hardest things that we will ever have to say and we are about to do the hardest thing that we'll ever have to do which is to let our beautiful little Charlie go.

"Put simply, this is about a sweet, gorgeous, innocent little boy who was born with a rare disease, who had a real, genuine chance at life and a family who love him so very dearly and that's why we fought so hard for him." After the most recent scan of his muscles, she said: "As Charlie's devoted and loving parents we have decided that it's no longer in Charlie's best interests to pursue treatment and we will let our son go and be with the angels." Great Ormond Street Hospital has long argued that Charlie should be allow to die in dignity because the experimental therapy would not help him. Until today, Charlie Gard's parents have begged to take Charlie home to die. But today, they agreed to take him to a hospice for his final days. The children's hospital had suggested that Charlie should go to a hospice because his ventalitor cannot be used at the family's London home.

PA Charlie Gard story: Who is baby Charlie Gard and what is mitochondrial depletion syndrome?

The court case went back to the High Court after new evidence emerged over treatment that might have been able to help Charlie. But Charlie Gard's parents' lawyer said it is now "too late" for Charlie because the damage has already been done. Earlier this month Donald Trump offered to his support to his parents after the Vatican said the Pope was following the case "with affection and sadness". Mr Trump tweeted: "If we can help little #CharlieGard, as per our friends in the UK and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so." Charlie has a rare genetic condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which saps energy from vital organs and causes progressive muscle weakness.

Charlie Gard: A timeline of the heartbreaking case Mon, July 24, 2017 Charlie Gard timeline: A parents struggle to save their son. Play slideshow Getty•PA 1 of 20 Charlie Gard: A timeline of parents struggle to save their son