Queen to Scots: Think carefully about future

Weekend polls suggest the vote on Thursday for Scottish independence could go either way

Queen Elizabeth II has made her first comments about this week's Scottish independence vote, urging Scots to "think very carefully about the future."

But the popular monarch did not indicate a preference on how Scots should vote, carefully maintaining the neutrality that is her constitutional obligation.

Still, some may interpret her comments as a suggestion that Scots looking to embrace independence should be cautious about severing Scotland's long ties to the United Kingdom, which date back more than 300 years.

The queen spoke after a Sunday church service near her Balmoral estate in Scotland. She made the comment to a well-wisher in the crowd.

Buckingham Palace recently issued a statement indicating her plans to remain neutral before Thursday's vote.

Weekend polls have suggested the race is too close to call with both sides planning a frenetic final few days of campaigning.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to return to Scotland in an attempt to persuade voters to reject independence and remain part of the United Kingdom.

The "Better Together" campaign has been emphasising the economic uncertainties that would face an independent Scotland, while pro-independence forces have been predicting a rosy future for an oil-rich Scotland free of the United Kingdom.

If Scotland votes for independence, it would split from the United Kingdom in 18 months.