Royal Family Mourns Loss of Trusted Protector: 'Crackers' Remembered
The royal family is mourning the passing of Graham Craker, the beloved former bodyguard who stood as a steadfast guardian to Princes William and Harry during their childhood years.
Known affectionately as "Crackers" by the young princes who delighted in the playful nickname, Craker served as a close protection officer during some of the most formative and challenging periods of the royal brothers' lives.
His dedicated service extended to one of the monarchy's darkest hours, when he accompanied Princess Diana's hearse during her funeral procession in September 1997. In a particularly poignant detail shared in Prince Harry's memoir, Craker had to repeatedly stop the vehicle to clear flowers from the windscreen as mourners showered the hearse with floral tributes.
After 35 years with the Metropolitan Police, Craker retired in 2001, having been awarded the Royal Victorian Order for his personal service to the monarchy. His presence during pivotal moments in royal history made him not just a security figure but a comforting constant for the young princes, particularly during their mother's funeral when Prince William reportedly drew solace from spotting him accompanying Diana on her final journey.
In a heartfelt tribute, Craker's sons Graham and James described their father as "an incredible man" and "our hero, our rock," noting that words couldn't adequately express their pride in how selflessly he lived his life, both professionally and personally.
His passing marks the end of an era for those who remember the turbulent period following Diana's death, when Craker's protective presence helped shield two grieving young princes from the world's gaze while honoring their mother with dignity and respect.
