The Queen spoke of an
"enduring love of Scotland"
The Queen has said she
believes Scotland will unite in a "spirit of mutual respect and
support" following the independence referendum.
She said she understood there
would be "strong feelings and contrasting emotions".
But she had "no
doubt" this would be tempered by "an understanding of the feelings of
others".
Voters in Scotland rejected
independence by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 in Thursday's referendum.
The Queen's statement came
after Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would be stepping
down after his pro-independence campaign suffered defeat in the referendum.
The Monarch is currently
staying at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
'Contrasting emotions'
She said: "After many
months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of
the referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom
will respect.
"For many in Scotland
and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions -
among family, friends and neighbours.
The Queen previously said the
referendum was "a matter for the people of Scotland"
"That, of course, is the
nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have
no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the
feelings of others."
She added: "Now, as we
move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been
expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the
things that helps to unite us all.
"Knowing the people of
Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United
Kingdom, are able to express strongly-held opinions before coming together
again in a spirit of mutual respect and support, to work constructively for the
future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country.
"My family and I will do
all we can to help and support you in this important task."
Queen of Scots
The Queen faced the prospect
of becoming Elizabeth I of Scotland or even Elizabeth, Queen of Scots, had the
Scottish people voted in favour of independence.
As a 27-year-old, she was
crowned more than 60 years ago in Westminster Abbey when she took a solemn oath
to "govern the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland".
Her coronation gown
demonstrated the importance of the Union, with the intricate embroidery
centring on the four emblems of the United Kingdom - the rose, the shamrock,
the leek and the thistle.
The Queen's Scottish heritage
has been an important part of her life. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen
Mother, hailed from an ancient aristocratic Scottish family.
The annual Ghillies Ball,
which she hosts for staff at Balmoral, was moved from polling day to Friday
amid suggestions the switch was made to allow staff to vote in the referendum.
Above politics
After previous reports
claimed the Queen was growing increasingly concerned about Scotland breaking
away, Buckingham Palace issued a statement maintaining that she was above
politics.
"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," the Palace said.
During the Queen's Jubilee
year of 1977 there were growing calls for power to be devolved to Scotland and
Wales.
The Queen made her views
clear in a speech to both houses of Parliament when she said she understood the
aspirations of Scotland and Wales, but added: "I cannot forget that I was
crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
"Perhaps this Jubilee is
a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union has conferred, at home
and in our international dealings, on the inhabitants of all parts of this
United Kingdom."
The Queen is descended from
Mary, Queen of Scots, James I, who was James VI of Scotland, and Robert the
Bruce, who secured Scotland's independence from England.
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