LONDON, Sept 19 (KUNA) -- Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom, said Friday 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 I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others," according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace tonight.
The 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. Queen Elizabeth II is currently staying at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland for her summer holiday.
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.
"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," she went on.
"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," the Queen added.
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, commentators said. 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." The Queen's Scottish heritage has been an important part of her life, the commentators noted.
Her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, hailed from an ancient aristocratic Scottish family.
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".
Voters in Scotland rejected independence by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 in Thursday's referendum. (end) he.gb