Graham “Crackers” Craker, a former royal bodyguard who served Prince William and Prince Harry during their childhood, has passed away at the age of 77. Craker dedicated 15 years to serving the royal family, with one of the most notable moments being his presence during the aftermath of Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
At the time of Diana’s passing, which occurred in a car crash in Paris, Prince William was 15 and Prince Harry was 12. Craker was there to support the young princes, and he walked behind Diana’s hearse during the funeral procession on September 6, 1997, from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey. His role in these somber moments left a lasting mark on the boys.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry fondly remembered Craker, affectionately calling him “Crackers.” Harry recounted how Craker would have to stop the car repeatedly to clear flowers from the windscreen. “Willy and I liked him a lot. We always called him Crackers. We thought that was hysterical,” Harry shared in his memoir.
Craker’s role wasn’t just about protecting the royal family; it extended to deeply personal moments, including sitting at the front of the hearse that carried Diana’s body to Althorp House, where William, Harry, and their father, Prince Charles, bowed their heads in mourning.
In an interview with the New York Post in 2017, Craker reflected on the immediate aftermath of Diana’s death, expressing the emotional weight of the situation. He described the process of absorbing the tragic news and the responsibility of ensuring its truth. Although he couldn’t directly console the princes, he made a point to offer his condolences, particularly to William, who responded with a quiet “thank you” after Craker saw him walking his dog the morning after Diana’s death.
Craker retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2001 after 35 years of service. Following his retirement, he volunteered at the Southern Maltings Arts Center in Ware, East Hertfordshire. The charity honored him in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, describing him as both a cherished family member and a valued friend. “While to the most important people in his life Graham was a father, and grandfather, to us he was a valued friend and colleague,” the tribute read. “Our broken hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew him. RIP Crackers, we’ll make sure you are remembered behind the bar and will raise a glass for you this evening.”
Craker’s contributions to the royal family were formally recognized when he was awarded the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth for his dedicated service. He also had the honor of attending Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011.
He will be fondly remembered for his unwavering support of the royal family during some of their most difficult times.
