Queen Elizabeth urges Scots to think 'carefully'

Yes and No voters argue as they wait for Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond to do a walkabout in Perth, central Scotland, Sept 12, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

British PM says to be 'heartbroken' if Scotland leaves Union

EDINBURGH - Queen Elizabeth on Sunday urged Scots to think "carefully" ahead of Thursday's Scottish independence referendum, local media reported.

In an unprecedented move after attending Church near Balmoral Castle in northern Scotland, the Queen went to speak to Royal watchers and urged people to think very carefully about the Referendum on Sept 18, the online Scottish Daily Record reported.

It was the very first time Her Majesty, who is normally above politics, has spoken out on the independence question, said the report.

The Queen, dressed in green with a black handbag, who still has three weeks of her Highland Holiday to go went to church with the Duke of Edinburgh, it added.

Last week, the Queen insisted she did not wish to influence the independence vote, saying the issue was "a matter for the people of Scotland."

Supporters of the No campaign had called on her to intervene, following reports she was growing increasingly concerned over the prospect of a split. However, the Buckingham Palace insisted she had not expressed any preference ahead of Thursday's vote.

On Saturday, both Yes and No campaigns were given a final push at the last weekend ahead of the Referendum.

In October 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement, allowing Scotland to hold an independence referendum in autumn 2014 on the question of "Should Scotland be an independent country?"