Timeline: How parents fought to save Alfie

The parents of seriously ill toddler Alfie Evans were embroiled in a long legal battle over his life support treatment.

Here is how events unfolded since his birth in 2016.

Alfie is born in Liverpool to parents Tom Evans and Kate James, then 19 and 18 respectively.

Alfie is admitted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after suffering seizures and remains there for the next 12 months.

Hospital bosses say they are "liaising directly" with Alfie's family after disagreements over his treatment.

His parents say the hospital has applied to the High Court to remove parental rights and withdraw ventilation.

Mr Justice Hayden begins overseeing the case at a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Alder Hey says continuing life-support treatment would not be in Alfie's best interests, but his parents disagree and say they want permission to fly him to Italy for treatment.

The judge says he will make a decision on what is best for Alfie.

Lawyers acting for the hospital tell a High Court hearing that further treatment for Alfie is unkind and inhumane.

One of Alfie's doctors tells the judge there is "no hope" for the youngster, who is in a semi-vegetative state from a degenerative neurological condition that medics have not been able to definitively identify.

Mr Evans tells the court Alfie looks him "in the eye" and wants his help.

Mr Justice Hayden rules in favour of hospital bosses, saying he accepts medical evidence which shows further treatment was futile.

Three Court of Appeal judges begin analysing the case after Alfie's parents mount a challenge to the High Court ruling.

The family ask for the appeal hearing to be adjourned for a few weeks so they can discuss the ruling with lawyers, but the judges refuse.

Court of Appeal judges uphold the decision of Mr Justice Hayden.

Alfie's parents ask for the case to be considered by Supreme Court justices.

Supreme Court justices refuse to give the couple permission to mount another appeal.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights reject a bid from Alfie's parents for them to examine issues relating to the toddler's future, saying they find no appearance of any human rights violation.

Pope Francis voices support for Alfie's parents, tweeting: "It is my sincere hope that everything necessary may be done in order to continue compassionately accompanying little Alfie Evans, and that the deep suffering of his parents may be heard."

Mr Justice Hayden endorses an end-of-life care plan for Alfie drawn up by specialists.

Protesters gather outside Alder Hey hospital as Alfie's father insists he has the right to take him home.

Alfie's parents argue he is being wrongly "detained" at Alder Hey and make a habeas corpus application, a legal manoeuvre which requires a court to examine the legality of a detention.

Judges at the Court of Appeal in London rule against them and again uphold the decisions of Mr Justice Hayden.

Merseyside Police launch an investigation into "instances of verbal abuse and acts of intimidation" among protesters outside the hospital.

Judges raise concerns about reports that ambulances and staff are unable to enter the hospital and that patients and their families had been frightened.

Alfie's parents apologise, saying they did not intend to "harm or cause conflict or upset".

Mr Evans and Ms James ask Supreme Court justices to consider their case for a second time.

Mr Evans flies to Rome and meets Pope Francis. He kisses the Pope's hand and begs the leader of the Catholic Church to save Alfie's life.

The Supreme Court rules against Alfie's parents for a second time, refusing them permission to appeal the decision.

The couple make an application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to take Alfie to Rome for treatment.

The European Court of Human Rights refuses the application made by Alfie's parents, saying it is "inadmissible".

About 200 protesters gather outside Alder Hey, where Alfie has been receiving treatment, as police are forced to stop dozens of people charging at the doors.

Alfie is granted Italian citizenship in a bid to facilitate moving him to Italy to receive treatment.

A High Court Judge dismisses new submissions made in private by the lawyers for Alfie's parents via telephone.

Mr Evans says life support is withdrawn by doctors at Alder Hey and his son has been breathing for himself since 9.17pm.

Mr Evans says doctors are "gobsmacked" that his son is breathing nine hours after his life support ended.

An emergency High Court hearing is called where Mr Justice Hayden calls Alfie a "warrior" but says the case has reached its "final chapter".

The judge rules that the family cannot take Alfie to Italy for treatment. He advises the boy's parents to "explore" other options, such as removing Alfie from intensive care either to a ward, a hospice or his home.

Judges throw out Alfie's parent's appeals against the High Court ruling that the child could be taken home, but not abroad.

Lord Justice McFarlane says the case is "awful for everyone concerned" but believes there is no evidence a wrong judgement has been made.

The appeals court also hears Mr Evans sought to bring a private prosecution of conspiracy to murder against three doctors treating Alfie.

Mr Evans releases a photo of his son three days after his ventilator was switched off, saying: "Alfie fights another day".

He renews his plea for his son to be allowed to go home.

On Thursday evening, Mr Evans says the family will work with doctors to ensure their son has "the dignity and comfort he needs" and asks for privacy going forward.

Making a plea for privacy, Mr Evans said: "We are very grateful and we appreciate all the support we have received from around the world, including from our Italian and Polish supporters, who have dedicated their time and support to our incredible fight.

"We would now ask you to return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build and bridge and walk across it."

Alfie's parents say they are "heartbroken" as they announce that the toddler died in the early hours of the morning.