The Queen is “above politics” and will not be pulled into the debate over Scottish independence, Buckingham Palace has warned.
The assertion follows comments from First Minister Alex Salmond, who claimed earlier this week that the Her Majesty would be “proud” to reign over an independent Scotland.
“The sovereign’s constitutional impartiality is an established principle of our democracy and one which the Queen has demonstrated throughout her reign,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.
“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 that this is a matter for the people of Scotland.”
SNP leader Mr Salmond, who has met with the Queen within the past month, said on Tuesday that he would like the Queen to act as monarch of Scotland if it were to gain independence, and that she would be “proud” to do so.
Mr Salmond said: “I want the Queen as head of state, as Queen of Scots of an independent Scotland as her ancestors were.
Scottish independence referendum
“I think Her Majesty the Queen, who has seen so many events in the course of her long reign, will be proud to be Queen of Scots, and indeed we would be proud to have her as monarch of this land.”
He added: “I think the statement from the Palace about the Queen’s neutrality in this matter is a perfectly satisfactory one.”
Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband have opted out of today’s Prime Minister’s Questions to travel to Scotland along with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in order to campaign for a ‘No’ vote.
In a late effort to sway next Thursday’s vote away from independence, a Saltire flag was raised above Downing Street on Tuesday.
