File Photo: Queen Elizabeth II (Agence France-Presse)
Queen Elizabeth II has waded into the debate over Scotland's future as part of the United Kingdom, asking Scots to "think very carefully about the future" before voting in a historic referendum this week.
In a much hoped for intervention by politicians in Westminster, the Queen told well-wishers outside church in Aberdeenshire in Scotland yesterday: "Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future".
It is the first time she has spoken directly on the historic referendum and follows calls from Unionists for her to speak out in favour of a 'no' vote.
Last week, Buckingham Palace had warned politicians not to drag her into the battle, after both Labour and Conservative backbenchers urged her to intervene.
If Scots vote for independence in Thursday's referendum, the Scotland would split from the United Kingdom in 18 months.
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and British Prime Minister David Cameron are due to hit the Scottish campaign trail ahead of Thursday's yes or no vote.
Salmond is to join business leaders to argue that a "Yes" vote would help to grow Scotland's economy.
Mr Cameron will be in Scotland to give a speech arguing there are strong "head and heart" reasons to vote "No". Meanwhile, popular English footballer David Beckham has backed the "No" campaign, urging a vote to renew the UK's "historic bond".
The former England captain urged voters in Scotland not to ditch a union that was the "envy of the entire world".
"What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together," he said in an open letter released by the Better Together campaign.