The bodyguard who accompanied William at Lady Di's funeral has died.

Graham Craker, the bodyguard who escorted Prince William during one of the saddest moments of his life, passed away at 77 years old. His bond with the heir to the British throne was so strong that he was even invited to his wedding in 2011.

Craker was immortalized in history for accompanying William and Harryin the funeral procession of Diana of Wales, on September 6, 1997. He stayed close to the brothers from St James's Palace to Westminster Abbey. Then, he traveled in the front seat of the hearse heading to Althorp House, where the princess was buried.

A supportive figure in a devastating moment

The princes affectionately nicknamed him "Crackers" and Harry mentioned him in his memoir, Spare. There he recounted how the vehicle had to stop constantly so Graham could remove the flowers from the windshield. "Willy and I were very fond of him. We found it hysterical," wrote the Duke of Sussex.

Craker also described how they lived through the moments after the accident in Paris. He recounted that he called the duty service at the Buckingham Palace and informed them that Dodi Fayed had died and that the princess had a broken arm. Shortly after, they confirmed that Diana had also passed away. "I was stunned," he confessed.

The hardest moment, he explained, was seeing young William the next day. The prince was walking his dog when Craker approached to express his condolences. "I'm sorry for so much bad news," he said. "Thank you," William replied, visibly affected.

Royal recognition for his loyalty

During the funeral, Craker stayed behind the hearse. William looked at him and recognized him among the crowd. "I nodded to him and he was comforted knowing I was there, beside his mother," the former bodyguard recounted.

His closeness to the royal family was officially recognized. In 2011, he was invited to William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II distinguished him as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order, an honor reserved for those who provided outstanding services to the monarchy.

Craker retired in 2001 after 35 years of service in the Metropolitan Police, including 15 as a royal bodyguard. His legacy endures as a symbol of loyalty and humanity in one of the most painful chapters of the British royal family.