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Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, can now add an Olympian-size title to their royal names.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been named official ambassadors to the 2012 Olympic Games, to be held in the couple’s hometown of London, royal officials announced Thursday.

“London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will inspire so many people — particularly the young — to be the best they can be,” Prince William said in a statement released by St. James’s Palace.

Joining the newlyweds as an ambassador will be William’s brother, Prince Harry, who returned to England this week after spending two months in the U.S. for helicopter training exercises as a member of England’s Royal Air Force.

The three royals bring to 30 the total number of ambassadors named for the 2012 games.  The 27 other 2012 ambassadors are British Olympians from previous games appointed by the British Olympic Association earlier this year.

The high-profile royals will be well suited to fulfill the primary role of the largely symbolic ambassadors, to bring their country’s attention to the 900 athletes competing for Britain in the 2012 games.

William, Kate and Harry will also use their roles to encourage greater awareness of Olympic and Paralympic values, the palace said.

The 2012 games will begin in London July 27 and end Aug. 12.

One potential British Olympian the royals could be rallying behind is their own cousin, Zara Phillips.

Phillips,  far behind William and Harry as 13 th in line to the throne,  is a world-class equestrian who hopes to compete for Britain in the London 2012 games.  Her mother, Princess Anne, competed as an equestrian in the 1976 Montreal games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.