The reigning British monarch has made a rare public statement on a political issue, encouraging people to “think very carefully” as days remain before a vote on Scottish independence.
Queen Elizabeth II had previously said the issue was one for the people of Scotland to decide. But when a well-wisher outside a church service in Scotland Sunday pledged not to bring up the referendum, according to the Times of London, the queen responded, “Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future.”
The independence referendum is Thursday. Prime Minister David Cameron will visit Scotland Monday in his last scheduled trip there before the vote, the Guardian reported, where he will tell the Scottish people, “This is a once-and-for-all decision. If Scotland votes yes, the UK will split, and we will go our separate ways for ever.”
Officials at Buckingham Palace say the queen’s comments don’t mean she’s trying to wade into the debate.
“The sovereign’s constitutional impartiality is an established principle of our democracy and one which the Queen has demonstrated throughout her reign,” the palace said in a statement, reported by the BBC.
“As such, the monarch is above politics and those in political office have a duty to ensure this remains the case.
“Any suggestion that the Queen would wish to influence the outcome of the current referendum campaign is categorically wrong. Her Majesty is simply of the view this is a matter for the people of Scotland.”
