Harry's pride: Prince gushes about 'the woman I'm about to marry' as he reveals he is 'incredibly grateful' Meghan will be by his side in new Commonwealth role (but there's still no invite for Theresa)

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Prince Harry has used his first speech as a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador to gush about his fiancee Meghan Markle - saying he is 'incredibly grateful' she will be by his side.

The smitten 33-year-old royal revealed on Monday that 'the woman I'm about to marry' was 'hugely excited' to be joining him in his work for the role - which was met by cheers from the crowd at the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

The prince's comments came as he helped open the Youth Forum, which launched the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) week, with a speech, and told the young delegates 'it is you who are going to change the world'. 

During his speech, Harry got cheers and whoops from the audience when he mentioned his bride-to-be, who will join him on Wednesday at a Commonwealth Youth Forum reception. 

The US former actress and Harry have already expressed their interest in the Commonwealth and it is widely anticipated they will go on a Commonwealth tour after their May 19 wedding. 

Harry's remarks came on a busy day of engagements on Monday - he later met with another head of state, the Prime Minister of Fiji, at Buckingham Palace.  

A smitten Prince Harry was met by cheers after saying he was 'incredibly grateful' to Meghan Markle during a speech at the Commonwealth Youth  Forun

Prince Harry joined Prime Minister Theresa May at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre to take part in a  Commonwealth Youth Forum

Harry said that Meghan Markle (pictured together last month) was 'hugely excited' to be joining him in his work

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The prince was joined by Theresa May at the Commonwealth Youth Forum on Monday morning - just days after it was revealed the Prime Minister joins Donald Trump and the Obamas on the list of people who won't be attending the royal wedding on May 19. 

His first duties in his new role included a round table event at the opening session of the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.   

Although Prince Harry was without former Suits actress Meghan, 36, for the engagement, it seems she was there in spirit.

In his speech, Harry 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,' he added, before pausing to grin at the cheering audience.          

He added: '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. 

Harry said he looked for inspiration for his new role from his grandmother the Queen and he highlighted her famous speech from 1947 where she pledged her life to the Commonwealth.

He said: 'On the day of her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth gave an extraordinary radio address from Cape Town.

'With an eye on the future, and an already unflinching sense of duty, she made a commitment. She said that whether her life be long or short, it would be dedicated to the service of the people of the Commonwealth.

Harry was appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador last week and this is his first engagement in capacity with the role 

Speaking at the round table discussion Harry said it was 'crucial' to listen to young people before going on to describe his excitement for the project

'All of us here today can be grateful that it is a long life the Queen is still enjoying. 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.'  

In the new role, Harry will highlight and support the work and aspirations of young people across the Commonwealth.

He will work to create links between young people and youth leaders and encourage them to use Commonwealth platforms to address the social, economic and environmental challenges of their generation. 

The forum provides an opportunity for the young people to build networks, debate the challenges they face, and agree youth-led initiatives to influence decision makers and ensure young people have a voice in its future.

It comes as no surprise that Meghan is 'excited' to be joining her husband-to-be in his work having championed her own causes before meeting the prince.

Meghan became an advocate for women when she was 11, and achieving gender equality remains a driving force for the self-described 'feminist.'

Later on Monday the Prince met another head of state, the Prime Minister of Fiji, at Buckingham Palace 

Prince Harry and Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama - known more commonly as Frank Bainimarama - appeared deep in conversation at the Palace on Monday 

The meeting at Buckingham Palace came after Prince Harry delivered his first speech as the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador 

Prince Harry spent time chatting with members of the forum that he is hoping to inspire 

Theresa May was on hand to offer her own support for the project which highlights and supports the work and aspirations of young people across the Commonwealth

Since 2014, the American actress has helped put a global spotlight on the need for equality between women and men as an 'Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership' for the women's agency of the United Nations. 

Upon his arrival the prince was greeted by Prime Minister Theresa May who is also attending the forum today.

The PM and the prince spent time meeting the young people that the royal hopes to inspire in his new role. 

Speaking at the round table discussion Harry said: It's really important that these voices are heard.'

He went on to say that it was 'crucial' to listen to young people before going on to describe his excitement for the project.  

The Prime Minister acknowledged that young people had helped set part of the agenda for the week with the environment and youth unemployment due to be discussed.

The PM's meeting with the prince comes just six days after it was revealed that she would not receive an invite to the upcoming royal wedding 

May joins Donald Trump and the Obamas on the list of those who won't be in attendance

Sat around a table with Harry and the young delegates Mrs May told them: 'It's great that this week of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is being kicked off by the Youth Forum because as you say, I wanted to make sure that youth, young people were the priority for this week's meetings.

'Because if you just look at the figures - I think it's young people under the age of 30 make up 60% of the Commonwealth population - you are the future of the Commonwealth.

'And it's important we listen to you, we hear your ideas, hear your areas of concern - and you've already shaped the agenda. A couple of the issues that you wanted to have discussed here at the head of government meeting - youth unemployment and the environment (are on the agenda).'

She said there would be discussions about how a young person gets the opportunity for a 'good job' and a 'good start in life' and looking at how the oceans can be protected.

The PM's meeting with the prince comes just six days after it was revealed that she and other political leaders – including US President Donald Trump – have been left off the guest list for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. 

In a surprise move, there are no invitations for the Prime Minister, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or any foreign heads of state.

The omission of Commonwealth leaders is particularly surprising as they may see it as a snub. 

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, both friends of Harry, have also failed to make the cut, sources confirmed last night.

The situation has left royal watchers wondering whether the Obamas, who are close to the prince, may have done the 'decent thing' and stepped aside so as not to ruffle the feathers of Mr Trump.

The royal couple are not obliged to invite political figures as the wedding is not a state event like the nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

Kensington Palace confirmed last week that the 600 guests invited to watch the couple exchange vows on May 19 at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle would all be those with a direct relationship with Meghan and Harry.

Harry's engagement today event comes before the Queen and other members of the royal family welcome leaders at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

The Windsors will be out in force, with the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Harry, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra attending the ceremony.

The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge is on maternity leave, and by the time Chogm begins could be expecting to welcome the arrival of her third child any day.

It is not known whether the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired last year from official duties, will attend the event less than a week after being discharged from hospital following his hip replacement. 

PRINCE HARRY'S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE YOUTH FORUM IN FULL

Prince Harry delivered a speech at the Queen Elizabeth II centre

 It's very exciting to be here with you today for the opening of the Eleventh Commonwealth Youth Forum.

I am particularly honoured to be speaking to a room of inspiring young leaders in my first speech as The Queen's Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.

When I was reflecting on how to make the biggest impact with this new role, I turned to the ultimate source of guidance on all things Commonwealth: the words of The Queen herself.

On the day of her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth gave an extraordinary radio address from Cape Town. With an eye on the future, and an already unflinching sense of duty, she made a commitment. She said that whether her life be long or short, it would be dedicated to the service of the people of The Commonwealth.

All of us here today can be grateful that it is a long life The Queen is still enjoying. 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.

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.

From that speech in 1947 onwards, she has known that young people really make the difference. Her call to action was for her fellow young people to lead the way in making the Commonwealth "a more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world."

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.

You care. You want your nations to be cleaner, your planet to be greener, your friends and neighbours to be treated fairly and with respect, no matter their ethnicity, their religion, or their status.

You are optimistic. The complicated challenges we face – climate change, inequality, conflict – they do not discourage you. Rather, they inspire you to persevere and effect change.

I am sure that it is the young people of The Commonwealth, not just those in its 22 Island Nations, who will lead the world's response to climate change. After all, you are the ones who are experiencing it daily, and we must do more to make these changes a reality and truly move the dial. After all, 60% of the Commonwealth is under the age of 30. And at 1.4 billion strong, it is you who are going to change the world.

The young adults I have met across the Commonwealth have shown me time and again that your generation understands something very important: that to tackle a big challenge, you need to focus on the root causes, not the symptoms -- something my father has believed for years, yet something society still struggles with.

This is what I have learned from people like Patrice Madurai who I met in South Africa two years ago. Patrice was concerned about poor education and employment outcomes in rural and impoverished communities.

What she realised is that one thing holding people back was a lack of formal identification documents that meant they couldn't sit their exams or apply for jobs. So she set up mobile clinics where people could take the vital step of registering for their citizenship. Patrice wasn't looking for a short-term fix; she was finding a long-term solution.

As an environmentalist, Wen Shin Chia wanted to persuade people to behave more responsibly in how they lived their lives. She knew that the practice of pouring household cooking oil down the drain was badly affecting the water supplies to whole communities across Malaysia. 

But she knew that just telling people to stop wouldn’t work, so she set about changing this behaviour by offering free soap in exchange for used oil. She now recycles this used oil into eco-cleaning products and candles which are sold back into the communities. This is just another example of changing mind-sets and tackling an issue at its root.

I know that serving as an ambassador to young people I am going to have to try to keep up with you.

I am working now to plan my first year in this role. And my hope is to convene young leaders from across The Commonwealth to discuss how best we can make Commonwealth platforms work for you, and to ensure maximum impact.

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.

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. 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.

Before I close, and in my first act in this role, I am delighted to announce that the Commonwealth Scholarships scheme will be expanded from 2019. Thanks to the generosity of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, 150 new scholarships for study in low and middle-income countries will be made available by 2025.

This scheme, which is run by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, will enable more of our talented young people to access life-changing opportunities to study across The Commonwealth, for generations to come.

I am also proud that in recognition of Her Majesty The Queen’s extraordinary service to the Commonwealth, these scholarships will be known as The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships.

I want to end by thanking you. It is an honour to be The Queen's ambassador to a generation that inspires me every single day.

I am here to support you.

And I cannot wait to see what you are going to achieve together.