The Queen has finally spoken. As the Scottish independence referendum inches closer, Queen Elizabeth II shunned protocol to speak out for the first time on the issue, exhorting citizens to "think very carefully" before voting, a statement that has reportedly been interpreted as a push for the 'No' vote.
The much-followed buzz over Scottish Independence will be put to test on Thursday, when Scots will vote if they want to break away from England after three hundred years of togetherness.
Scottish leaders are confident that Scotland will finally break free from England, but the 88-year-old monarch's departure from the earlier neutral stance could have a significant influence on voters' minds.
The Buckingham Palace had earlier issued a statement that the Queen could maintain neutrality on the matter.
However, on Sunday, while interacting with crowds outside Crathie Kirk near Balmoral where she is on a holiday, the Queen reportedly told an individual that "I hope everybody thinks very carefully about the future," The Mirror reported.
According to MP Henry Bellingham, observers would be "in no doubt about her views," The Telegraph reported.
"This shows her preference is for us to stay together," Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk told The Mirror.
Royal members, however, clarified that the Queen remains neutral on the issue.
"The Queen respects the will of the Scottish people and she will work with them whatever the result. She remains constitutionally impartial and she's not coming down on either side of the argument," a source told The Mirror.
"But she wants to make sure people have thought about the long-term repercussions of breaking up the union."
On the other hand, another royal insider did point at the Queen's subtle message.
"In the most subtle way possible she has put her view across and she's clearly very worried about the thought of independence."
The Queen's grandson, Prince Harry had earlier spoken about Scotland and said that he would "love to keep it in the UK".
Whether the wishes of the royal family plays on voters' minds remains to be seen on the D-Day.
Several polls have already suggested the outcome will be an extremely close one.
If Scotland does split from the United Kingdom, the Queen will continue to remain the head of the state nevertheless, but of course, with a broken heart.
