Kate Middleton, Prince William Crowned Royal Ambassadors of 2012 Olympics

Kate Middleton, Prince William and Harry have been named the official ambassadors of the 2012 Olympics in London, and will start to meet with athletes in the lead up to the games, St James's Palace has announced.

The trio saidt they were honored to be given such a role and will start to meet with Team GB and Paralympics GB to help them gain momentum before the games next July.

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

Prince William explained that the royals were not only looking forward to the games next summer but also looking beyond to the springboard the games will provide for future success and excellence.

The athletes and coaches taking part in the Team GB Ambition Program 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.

Kate Middleton's role in the Olympics will be her first national role since marrying Prince William in April. She herself played a big role in sports while she was university, participating in rowing, tennis, hockey, swimming and netball, the Daily Mail reported.

Prince William, President of the Football Association was also active both at school and university, playing rugby, football, basketball and running in cross-country races.

'It is a great motivation for Team GB that the Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry are supporting their efforts next year and we hope together we can ensure that the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is behind our athletes in their quest for Olympic success,' said Andy Hunt, chief executive of the British Olympic Association

When London hosts the Olympics between July 27 and Aug.12 it will become the first city to stage the Olympics three times (Athens and Paris have hosted the Summer Games twice, and Lake Placid and St. Moritz have held the Olympic Winter Games twice.)