Prince Harry and Prince William’s relationship may be strained today, but those who knew them during their younger years remember a very different dynamic — one filled with deep camaraderie and shared heartache, particularly in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.

Few people had as intimate a view into the lives of the young princes as Graham Craker, a former Metropolitan Police officer who served as their personal bodyguard for 15 years. Affectionately known as “Crackers” by Harry and William, Craker was not just a protector, but a trusted presence during both the most joyful and sorrowful moments of their early lives.

Craker recently passed away at the age of 77. His death was confirmed by his two sons, who described him as “an incredible man” who “lived his life so selflessly.”

Craker stood by the princes during key moments of their upbringing — and none were more emotionally charged than the days following Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997. When news broke of Diana’s passing, Craker was there to accompany William and Harry to Balmoral, providing comfort and security in an unimaginable moment of grief.

He later walked behind Princess Diana’s hearse during her funeral procession, a memory that stayed with him for the rest of his life. “I was standing at the rear of the hearse and William looked up and acknowledged me,” he once shared with The New York Post. “I looked toward him and nodded. William was comforted that I was with his mum on her final journey.”

He recalled the overwhelming public response that day. “There were people in tears, on their knees crossing themselves, throwing flowers at the hearse… even the southbound traffic on the M1 had stopped. People got out of their cars and bowed in respect.”

In a particularly poignant moment, Craker remembered encountering a grief-stricken Prince William the morning after the funeral. The young prince was out walking his dog. Craker quietly approached and offered his condolences. William replied simply, “Thank you.”

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry spoke fondly of Craker and his crucial presence during those formative years. Recalling the chaos of Diana’s funeral procession, Harry wrote, “The driver had to keep pulling over so the bodyguard could get out and clear the 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.”

Beyond his role during the family’s hardest days, Craker was also part of their celebrations. Ten years after retiring, he was a guest at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding — a sign of the lasting appreciation the royal family had for his loyalty and care.

His service to the monarchy didn’t go unnoticed. Craker was awarded the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II, an honor reserved for individuals who have provided distinguished personal service to the sovereign.

The passing of Graham Craker marks the end of an era — a reminder of a quieter, more personal chapter in the lives of the royal brothers. For William and Harry, “Crackers” wasn’t just a bodyguard. He was a protector, a witness to their bond, and a figure of stability during a time of tremendous upheaval.