Prince William and Kate Middleton told meditation is key to a happy union

The first Buddhist monk to be invited to a royal wedding has advised Prince William and Kate Middleton to meditate daily for a happy marriage.

The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala said that would help them get through any marital difficulties.

He said: "Discuss your problems and meditate together each morning to empty the mind of all your problems."

Ven. Seelawimala, 55, who is head priest at the London Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick, has been invited to join the 1,700-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

Ven. Seelawimala, who will represent Britain's 150,000 Buddhists at the wedding, also warned the couple to "set an example", reminding them that they were role models.

The Chiswick monastery was the first to be built outside the Asian continent. Set up in 1926, it is home to five monks. More than 1,000 Buddhists attend.

The wedding is not Ven. Seelawimala's first link with royalty. Prince Charles visited the Vihara in 2005 following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. "He is a very warm-hearted man," Ven. Seelawimala said.

"He was very interested in Buddhism and asked some great questions. He was very keen to know about meditation and how hard it was sit with your knees crossed for so long."

Ven. Seelawimala is keen for William to follow in his father's footsteps and visit the monastery. He said: "I would love them to join in a meditation session."