Will and Kate—and Harry!—Lend Their Royal Touch to Olympic Games

Duke, duchess and the prince named official ambassadors for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games

By Gina Serpe Dec 01, 2011 4:41 PMTags
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate MiddletonDave M. Benett/Getty Images

As if we didn't see this one coming. As it happens, the prince, the duke and the duchess just got another title to add to their names: ambassadors!

It was announced this morning that Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry will serve as official ambassadors to both the 2012 London Olympic Games and the Paralympics when they kick off in the capital city next summer.

So what did the regal trio have to say about their new appointments?

William had the honor of speaking on the group's behalf and expressed excitement at the prospect of representing Team Great Britain:

"Catherine, Harry and I are honored to be Ambassadors for Team GB and Paralympics GB," he said. "London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will inspire so many people—particularly the young—to be the best they can be."

In addition to serving as three of the 27 Britons chosen as ambassadors by the British Olympic Association (of which, incidentally, their grandmother Queen Elizabeth, is patron), the young royals will also use their roles to encourage, inspire and promote greater awareness of Olympic values.

"We are hugely looking forward to this incredible sporting competition, but are also looking beyond next summer's Games to the springboard it will provide for future success and excellence," Will said. "The athletes and coaches taking part in the Team GB Ambition Programme are part of that future success—potential medal winners and sources of inspiration to come.

"We hope they enjoy the experience of London 2012 to the full, and learn from it how to become successful British Olympians of the future."

This is gonna be one classy opening ceremony.