The queen of England has delivered a message of reconciliation in the wake of the Scottish referendum, urging people to unite in their "enduring love of Scotland" and expressing her belief they will come together to "work constructively for the future".
In a detailed written statement issued from Balmoral, she said the “strong feelings and contrasting emotions — among family, friends and neighbours” provoked by the campaign would be “tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others”.
The monarch hailed the country’s robust democratic tradition and said the outcome of referendum, which came after months of discussion, debate and careful thought, would be respected throughout the UK.
She pledged to help people work together, saying: “My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task.”
Her statement will be seen as part of the process of reuniting the country following the heated debate by both sides during the campaign.
The queen, who was at Balmoral when she learned that the 307-year-old union of which she was crowned sovereign remained unbroken, remains neutral when it comes to political matters.
Her words will have been carefully chosen and the release of her statement timed to ensure all political leaders have already made their comments on the outcome.
She is head of state, but in her less formal role as head of the nation, the Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity and unity and offers a sense of stability and continuity.
The United Kingdom may remain intact as a union of four nations, but there are plans for further devolution to Scotland as well as a rebalancing of the representation of all the nations.
The queen said: "For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions — among family, friends and neighbours.
“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.
“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.”
It is believed that the triumph of the No campaign has been met with much relief by the queen and the rest of the royal family.
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, but Elizabeth II will go down in history as the monarch whose reign escaped the break-up of the United Kingdom.
As a 27-year-old, the queen was crowned more than 60 years ago in a deeply religious service in Westminster Abbey during which she took a solemn oath to “govern the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.
Her coronation promise was not one she took lightly and it was rich with significance for the young monarch.
Even 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.
PA