Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly broken her silence over the Scottish independence vote, saying she hopes Scots will "think very carefully" about the future when voting in a referendum that could break up the United Kingdom.
The monarch, coming out of a morning service at a church in Crathie near her Balmoral estate in Scotland on Sunday, responded to a remark from a well-wisher that they would not mention the referendum.
"I hope people will think very carefully about the future," The Times newspaper reported Elizabeth as saying.
A vote for independence on Thursday would divide the kingdom and although Elizabeth is assumed to back the union, she has been extremely careful to avoid making public comments on the referendum.
"This is totally impartial and reinforces the point that this is a matter for the people of Scotland," a source at Buckingham Palace said.
"The Queen is constitutionally impartial, above politics and has always said this is a matter for the people of Scotland."
Whatever the outcome of Thursday's vote, Queen Elizabeth is still likely to be Queen of Scotland, since most Scots are keen to retain her as head of state even if they vote to go it alone.
Should Scotland vote for independence, nationalists say Elizabeth, who is 88, would remain Queen of Scotland although they give no guarantee of the monarchy's long-term future.
Scotland is close to Elizabeth's heart. Her mother was Scottish and she spent much of her childhood there. Her late sister Margaret was born there.
The country is the favourite summer destination for her and her husband Philip, who leave London in August for their estate at Balmoral, often joined by other members of the royal family.
Her only official comment on the referendum came in May in a message to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
"In this important year of referendum, we pray that whatever the outcome, people of faith and people of good will, will work together for the social good of Scotland," she said.
However, she gave an indication of her views on a split of her realm during a speech to mark 25 years on the throne in 1977 when she referred to referendums on devolved governments in Scotland and Wales, which were later rejected by voters.
"I number Kings and Queens of England and of Scotland, and Princes of Wales among my ancestors and so I can readily understand these aspirations. But I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Photo: Workers prepare to count referendum votes in a counting centre in Aberdeen. (Reuters: Dylan Martinez) 
Photo: An election official counts referendum votes in a counting centre at Ingliston in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: Election officials begin counting referendum votes in a counting centre at Ingliston in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: Ballot boxes arrive at the counting centre at Ingliston in Edinburgh. (Getty Images: Jeff J Mitchell) 
Photo: Ryan Randall plays his flame-throwing bagpipes outside a polling station in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: Poll clerk George MacKay sits in the Coulags caravan polling station in the Scottish Highlands. (Reuters: Cathal McNaughton) 
Photo: Voters enter a polling station in Pitlochry to place their votes during the referendum. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: A pro-union campaigner distributes leaflets as voters arrive to vote at a polling station in Glasgow. (AFP: Ian Macnicol) 
Photo: Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond leaves a polling station in Strichen after casting his vote during the referendum on Scottish independence, September 18, 2014. (Reuters: Dylan Martinez) 
Photo: People leave a polling station after placing their votes in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: A young voter leaves a polling station after casting her vote in Edinburgh. (AFP: Leon Neal) 
Photo: A man wears pro-independence stickers on his glasses in central Glasgow. The Yes vote has been moving ahead on Facebook as the vote draws nearer. (AFP: Leon Neal) 
Photo: A worker carries ballot boxes to a delivery van in Edinburgh the day before the referendum. (AFP: Ben Stansall) 
Photo: First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, gives the thumbs up as he flies past the Wallace Monument in Stirling. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: A 'no' vote supporter in Edinburgh, Scotland, holds a sticker depicting an image of Queen Elizabeth II. (AFP: Ben Stansall) 
Photo: Opposing yes and no signs sit in windows in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: A 'Yes' supporter with a tattoo of Scotland on his back holds a Saltire at a rally outside the BBC in Glasgow. (Reuters: Paul Hackett) 
Photo: Thousands of members of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland have marched to oppose independence. (AFP: Ben Stans) 
Photo: A pro-independence Scottish supporter flashes the V for victory sign in Edinburgh. (AFP: Lesley Martin) 
Photo: Alistair Darling, the leader of the campaign to keep Scotland part of the United Kingdom, campaigns in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: British Prime Minister David Cameron gestures as he speaks during a visit to Scottish Widows offices in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 10, 2014. Mr Cameron urged Scottish voters not to rip apart a 'family of nations' as he joined British party leaders in Scotland to try to head off surging support for a split. (AFP: Andrew Milligan/Pool) 
Photo: A Scottish Saltire is raised over 10 Downing Street in London. (Reuters: Luke MacGregor) 
Photo: Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond (front C) stands with supporters of the 'Yes Campaign' in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: Members of English Scots for Yes hold a tea party on the border at Berwick Upon Tweed to celebrate the continuing open border between Scotland and England. (Getty Images: Jeff J Mitchell) 
Photo: Opposing supporters for the Yes and No campaigns argue in Edinburgh. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: Scottish pro-independence supporters march through Edinburgh. (AFP: Andy Buchanan) 
Photo: A dog wears a pro-Scottish independence badge on its leash. (ABC News: Gary Kemble) 
Photo: Labour MP Jim Murphy addresses a crowd in Edinburgh during his tour to promote the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. (Reuters: Russell Cheyne) 
Photo: A girl with her face painted with the Scottish Saltire looks on as pro-independence supporters gather for a rally in Edinburgh. (AFP: Andy Buchanan) 
Photo: The Daily Mirror headline on the poll results and the British government's new proposals. (The Daily Mirror) 
Photo: A man declares his intentions as he stands outside the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. (Reuters: David Moir, file photo) 
Photo: LtoR Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont, former British finance minister Alistair Darling, Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie pose for photos at launch of Campaign against Independence. (AFP: Andy Buchanan) Gallery: Scotland decidesThousands of independence supporters took to the streets of Scotland's largest city, Glasgow, on Sunday as polls showed the rival camps running desperately close just five days before the referendum.
Separatist and unionist leaders worked across the country to woo undecided voters among the 4 million Scots and Scotland residents who will vote on their future on Thursday.
Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, who has spearheaded the drive for independence, said he was confident the Yes campaign would win.
"We're not aiming to win by one vote. We're aiming to achieve a substantial majority if we can," he said on the BBC.
Alistair Darling, a former British finance minister and leader of the Better Together campaign, warned if Scots vote to split from the United Kingdom, it would be an irreversible decision that would bring economic doom.
With promises from British political leaders of greater powers for Scotland in the event of a No vote, Scots could have the best of both worlds, Mr Darling said.
In Glasgow, the blue badges of the Yes to independence campaign dominated central Buchanan Street, with a convoy of cars driving through the town waving Yes banners and tooting horns.
Buskers also sang in support of independence and a bagpipe-and-drum band drew a large crowd.
The Glasgow vote will be crucial to the result, given the city's size.
Thousands of people marched to the BBC headquarters, complaining the state-run broadcaster was biased against the Yes campaign.
"We pay our licence fees. We don't want them to favour us - we were just marching for an impartial state broadcaster," said Liz, a teacher.
Mr Salmond has frequently accused the BBC - which could be carved up if Scotland votes for independence - of siding with the unionists.
A BBC spokesperson said the corporation had been "rigorously impartial".
But the incident showed the high emotions and divisions stirred by the referendum, which could result in the end of the 307-year-old union with England and the break-up of the United Kingdom.
"No one wants to forget what we achieved together during the two World Wars. But where's the vision for the future?" said Ian, an IT manager from Glasgow who had been on the march.
Independence supporters say it is time for Scotland to choose its own leaders and rule itself, free of control from London and politicians they say ignore their views and needs.
No campaigners say Scotland is more secure and prosperous as part of the United Kingdom and the end of the union would destroy three centuries of bonds and shared history as well as bring in economic and financial hardship.
The question on the ballot paper will ask simply: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" followed by two options: "Yes" and "No".
Out of four new polls, three showed those in favour of maintaining the union with a lead of between 2 and 8 per cent.
The other, an ICM poll conducted over the internet, showed supporters of independence in the lead with 54 per cent and unionists on 46 per cent.
Reuters
Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, world-politics, referendums, united-kingdom, scotland First posted September 15, 2014 07:08:51View the original article here
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