Prince Harry gets new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador

THE Queen has handed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a major new job title meaning the royal couple could spend a lot more time down under.

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have landed their first big job as a royal couple — creating a new vision for young people across the Commonwealth.

On Monday, the Queen named Prince Harry as a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, responsible for highlighting and supporting young people across the 53 member states.

Speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth Youth Forum on Monday, Prince Harry said both he and Meghan were excited to take on the challenge.

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“In my new role, I will work to support The Queen, my father The Prince of Wales, and my brother William, all of whom know that young people are the answer to the challenges of today,” he said.

“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.”

Prince Harry and actor Meghan Markle are expected to focus on global activities. Picture: Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

The job will see Prince Harry work to create links between young people and leaders and help them address social, environmental and economic challenges around the world.

It’s the first significant role for the young prince in the 53-member organisation, where many nations are looking for signs of leadership transition in the coming years.

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It also could mark the start of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as an international “power couple” who are expected to focus on global issues while leaving domestic responsibilities to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, according to Meghan’s biographer, Andrew Morton.

Meghan Markle’s biographer has described her as “gold” for the royal family. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Sydney later this year for the Invictus games. Picture: GEORGES ROGERS/SIPA / MEGA

Prince Harry said he will use his grandmother as the “ultimate source of guidance on all things Commonwealth”.

“I believe firmly that central to The Queen’s success in supporting The Commonwealth has been her constant focus on not just the Prime Ministers and Presidents of member nations, but of the people themselves,” he said.

“Both here in the UK and as I travel, my job will be to listen to you. My duty will be to ensure that your ideas, concerns, thoughts, and hopes are heard. And my commitment will be to work with you to build better platforms for your leadership, and to help you collaborate and form partnerships with your peers across nations.”

The announcement marks the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Govenrment Meeting in London this week that will see leaders discuss common issues from malaria to women’s rights, trade and politics.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 and visit Sydney later this year.