Royal Family Mourns Loss of Beloved Figure Who Helped Prince William and Prince Harry Through Diana’s Death
A key figure from one of the royal family’s most painful chapters has sadly passed away. Graham “Crackers” Craker, the cherished former bodyguard to Prince William and Prince Harry, has died at age 77.
Craker served the royal family with quiet dedication for over 15 years, including during the tragic aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997 — a time that left an indelible mark on both princes.
Known affectionately as “Crackers” by those around him, Craker was much more than a bodyguard — he was a source of strength and calm for William and Harry during their darkest days.
When Diana died, William was just 15, and Harry was only 12. Craker stood by their side through the unthinkable, helping shield the young princes from the overwhelming chaos that followed.
He was one of the few trusted faces in the days following the crash, and his presence was remembered by Harry in his 2023 memoir Spare, where the Duke of Sussex reflected on the quiet but unwavering support Craker offered. He also walked behind Princess Diana’s coffin at her funeral, a powerful moment that etched him into royal history forever.
Craker later helped escort Diana’s body to Althorp House, her final resting place — a solemn duty that reflected the deep trust the family placed in him.
In a 2017 interview with The New York Post, Craker opened up about how difficult it was to comfort the grieving young royals.
He recalled seeing William walking the family dog just hours after learning of his mother’s death, describing a moment of mutual sorrow and understanding without words. “We didn’t need to speak,” he said. “He just looked at me. That was enough.”
Read More: Prince William Defies King Charles in Bold Move to Hire Princess Diana’s Divorce Lawyer
Craker retired in 2001 after a 35-year career with the Metropolitan Police. In recognition of his service to the Crown, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the Royal Victorian Order — one of the highest honors for personal service to the monarch.
But retirement didn’t mean stepping out of public service. In his later years, Craker poured his heart into community work, volunteering with local charities in East Hertfordshire.
At the Southern Maltings arts center in Ware, where he was a familiar face, the team paid a heartfelt tribute to the man they knew simply as Crackers: “RIP Crackers, we’ll make sure you are remembered behind the bar.”
Though he stayed largely out of the spotlight in his final years, Craker’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he supported—most notably, the two young boys he helped guide through a tragedy that shocked the world.
His passing marks not just the end of a career, but the loss of someone who held the royal family together at a time when it was on the brink of collapse. For William and Harry, Graham Craker was more than a protector — he was a quiet hero.
And now, as the world remembers his service, it’s clear his impact was both royal and deeply human.
