Harry once recalled a heartbreaking memory involving him in one of Princes William and Harry’s former bodyguards, who were with the brothers when they learned of the late mother Princess Diana’s passing.
Prince Harry once revealed a heartbreaking memory of his former bodyguard who has sadly died. It has emerged that Graham Craker, a protection officer of both Harry and his older brother Prince William when the were youngsters, has passed away aged 77.
During the funeral of their mother Princess Diana, he walked with them behind their mum’s hearse as it was transported from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey, where her funeral was held. He was also at Balmoral with the two young princes in late August of 1997 when they were told the news that their mum had been killed following a car crash in Paris.
Mr. Craker, who served 15 years as a royal protection officer before retiring in 2001, was a clear blessing to both brothers, who are now embroiled in a bitter conflict, receiving an invitation to William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
And Harry also revealed a heartbreaking memory in his controversial memoir Spare, in addition to expressing fond memories of his former bodyguard. Mr. Craker sat in front of the hearse the day after Diana’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey, where she was buried.
The thousands of mourners who gathered in grief along the way were also seen brushing flowers from the windscreen. In Spare, Harry recalled that “the bodyguard could get out and clear the flowers off the windscreen.” The driver had to keep pulling over. Graham was the bodyguard. We had a lot of fun with Willy. He was always known as “Crackers.” We believed that to be hysterical.
In a previous interview, he described being at Balmoral the night Diana died and recalled: “I crept down the stairs to the house phone and dialled the duty office at Buckingham Palace. They said there were reports there’d been an accident and Dodi Fayed had been killed and the Princess had a broken arm.”
He recalled the time he learned Diana had also passed away. He continued, “It was disbelief, really, and obviously a lot of sorrow. You make every effort to handle it, but you can’t stop feeling emotionally charged.
The most heartfelt was, he continued, “perhaps seeing William the next day.” I ran up to William after seeing him walking his dog outside and saying, “I’m very, very sorry to hear your bad news.” Thank you, Wilfredo said sadly. For his benevolent service to her family, the late Queen appointed Mr. Craker to the Royal Victorian Order. He left his position volunteering for various Ware-based charities, including Southern Maltings Creative Centre.
Our friend and colleague, Graham Craker, has tragically passed away, according to friends and colleagues at the charity. Gramah has been with us almost from beginning to end, helping to ensure that everyone has the best of times.
Graham was a father and grandfather to the most significant people in his life, but Graham was also a valued friend and colleague to us. It is remarkable how reliable and respected he was as the only volunteer to have a set of keys to the building because he wanted to make sure everyone else had a clean, well-stocked, and ready bar. This is how much he was known for.
He will be remembered for his humor, warmth, and the way he always merely wanted to help people, according to his family. Many people will miss our very own James Bond, from a career in the police, to a member of the protection squad, to a major supporter of the Rotary, and ultimately to a crucial volunteer at the Southern Maltings.
His family and everyone who knew him sends our broken hearts. We’ll raise a glass for you this evening and make sure you are remembered behind the bar. RIP Crackers.
Source: Mirror
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