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.”