The Queen is reported to be deeply concerned by the latest independence poll that put the Yes campaign in the lead for the first time.
The Queen has held talks with Prime Minister David Cameron after fears grew in Buckingham Palace that Scotland could vote for independence.
Rising panic over the future of the Union was fuelled after the Yes camp took the lead in a poll for the first time.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, put the Yes campaign ahead by 51 per cent to 49 per cent, overturning a 22-point lead held by Better Together in early August.
First Minister Alex Salmond’s private polling is reported to put the Yes campaign ahead 54 to 46.
The spectre of a Yes vote in the September 18 independence referendum is said to have dominated discussions between the Queen and the PM at Balmoral.
Buckingham Palace aides revealed the Queen has a “great deal of concern” about the break-up of the union and has asked to be given daily updates on the campaigns.
A source said: “The Queen is a unionist. There is now a great deal of concern. If there is a Yes vote that puts us into unchartered territory constitutionally.
“Her being Queen of Scotland is not a given.”
A YouGov poll found 54 per cent of Scots voters want the Queen as head of state, with 31 per cent preferring an elected figurehead.
In the UK, 45 per cent said she should stay as Scottish head of state in the event of a Yes vote next week.
A senior source on the pro-independence campaign said “questions were being asked” over apparent bias after reports suggested the Queen was horrified at the prospect of a Yes victory.
He added: “We’re dubious as it’s very seldom you get personal opinion from the monarch.
“It’s important to realise that retaining the Queen as our monarch after a Yes vote is in the White Paper.”
Palace aides denied claims of bias. A spokeswoman said: “The referendum is a matter for the people of Scotland.
“The Queen remains strictly neutral on this, as she does on all political issues.”
With the result on a knife-edge, there were fears Westminster could be plunged into crisis if Scotland goes it alone.
Some Tory MPs warned Cameron would have to quit if he presided over the end of 300 years of the Union.
And there were reports Ed Miliband would come under pressure because the loss of Scots Labour MPs would damage his party’s chances of getting into power.
There were also concerns markets would panic after a Yes vote.
The Queen has made her traditional appearance at the Braemar Highland Games at the weekend.
She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales at the gathering in Aberdeenshire, where the royal party watched pipe bands and dancers perform to a large crowd. (By Scotland Now)
Photo by: Credit: Michael Schofield/The Sun/PA Wire
