Brothers mourn passing of former bodyguard Graham Craker, a cherished link to Princess Diana
Prince William and Prince Harry are mourning the loss of a beloved figure from their early years, as their former royal bodyguard, Graham Craker, has passed away at the age of 77 — bringing the estranged brothers together in shared sorrow.
Affectionately known as "Crackers" by the royal siblings, Craker played a vital role in their lives during a pivotal period, having served 15 years as a royal protection officer within his 35-year career in the Metropolitan Police.
Craker’s presence was deeply felt during some of the most emotional moments of William and Harry’s youth, particularly during the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. He walked alongside the young princes behind their mother’s hearse, offering protection and quiet support as the world watched.
In Spare, Harry remembered Craker with fondness, recalling a moment when the bodyguard had to stop the car to clear flowers off the windscreen. “The bodyguard was Graham. Willy and I liked him a lot. We always called him Crackers. We thought that was hysterical,” he wrote.
William also acknowledged the bond, inviting Craker to his wedding to Catherine in 2011 — a gesture reflecting the lasting respect and affection he held for the man who once helped protect him during his most vulnerable years.
While the brothers remain distanced by ongoing tensions, the passing of Graham Craker has reminded them both of the shared memories and figures who helped shape their early lives.
