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At the time, the Queen used one of her Silver Jubilee speeches to deliver a clear warning against breaking up the realm, saying she understood “aspirations” of devolved power but: “I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of Northern Ireland. Perhaps this Jubilee is a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union has conferred, at home and in our international dealings, on the inhabitants of all parts of the United Kingdom.”

One senior Tory MP told The Daily Telegraph: “Now would be a great moment for the Queen to say again and underline those inspiring words that she gave in 1977 at her Silver Jubilee. The referendum looks extremely close and her intervention could make all the difference.”

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Simon Danczuk, a Labour MP, agreed, saying: “It would mean something to the people of England and Scotland. It would be welcomed – I don’t think it would be improper.”

Henry Bellingham MP, a former Conservative Coalition minister, said: “We are talking about the possible dismemberment of the United Kingdom. It is legitimate for people to take notice of her views.”

However, Vernon Bogdanor, the Emeritus Professor of Politics and Government at the University of Oxford – whose former students include David Cameron – said there was no constitutional reason why the Queen could not speak out but did not think it likely.

“She could be required by David Cameron to make such a speech, but I think it highly unlikely. She would be loath to do it, as she has always avoided controversy, and Cameron wouldn’t want to embarrass the Queen [by asking her],” he said.

Royal aides have made it clear that the Queen regards the issue of independence as a matter entirely for the Scottish people to decide and dismissed any suggestion that she could speak on the issue. A royal source said: “To suggest the Queen might speak up for one side or the other is to misunderstand her constitutional role. The Queen has always remained neutral and she simply could not intervene on one side or the other.”