Britain's Prince Harry and his American actress fiancee Meghan Markle today embarked on a new role as youth ambassadors of the Commonwealth at the launch of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The 33-year-old, Harry, who is set to marry Markle in Windsor on May 19, made his first speech as part of his new role at the launch of the Commonwealth Youth Forum in London.
"I know that serving as an ambassador to young people I am going to have to try to keep up with you," he said to youth representatives gathered for the forum.
"I am also incredibly grateful that the woman I am about to marry, Meghan, will be joining me in this work, of which she too is hugely excited to take part in," he said.
In a heartfelt speech that included tributes to his grandmother and Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, Prince Charles, the young royal told a room full of Commonwealth youth representatives from across 53 member-countries that he would strive to "listen" to their concerns and ideas.
"Her Majesty's commitment has meant that the Commonwealth is a thriving family of nations, a common link between nearly two-and-a-half billion people, and a defender of democracy, justice, and peace," he said in reference to the queen.
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As part of their new role, Harry and his wife-to-be are expected to undertake overseas tours of the Commonwealth as well as convening young people to hear their ideas on how to give them a bigger platform.
"As I travel around the Commonwealth in my work on behalf of the Royal Family, it is striking to see just how different today's generation of young adults are. You are connected.
"You have made positive use of technology to build relationships within your communities, nations and across the globe," said Harry, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Theresa May at the launch of the forum at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
The duo also met elected Youth Council representatives from India, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya, Namibia, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, as well as members of the International Youth Taskforce from all five regions of the Commonwealth.
"I wanted to make sure youth and young people are a priority at this meeting," May said.
May is set to welcome 52 other heads of government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the CHOGM executive session and leaders' retreat later this week.
Before multilateral talks on Thursday and Friday, the British premier will hold bilateral talks with Modi on Wednesday.
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