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The Queen will not publicly back the Union ahead of Scotland’s independence referendum, Buckingham Palace has said.

A number of news outlets have been anticipating a royal seal of approval for the Better Together campaign but their hopes appear to have been dashed by the palace.

A report in Private Eye magazine claimed that Her Majesty had rebuffed attempts by David Cameron to get her to encourage a No vote in September.

It said: “Two attempts to insert gentle references in support of the Union in speeches over the past year have been rebuffed by the palace, which suggested that Her Majesty’s ministers in Edinburgh might offer conflicting advice.

“Buckingham Palace has even set up a taskforce, headed by private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt, to ensure her absolute neutrality is maintained.”

A spokesman for Her Majesty said the report was “not true” but confirmed the UK’s head of state would not be attempting to influence Scots’ choice at the ballot box in three months’ time. He said: “As far as we are concerned it’s just business as usual and there is no taskforce.”

Asked if requests had been made by the Prime Minister for an official backing of the Union, the spokesman said: “I think No. 10 completely understand the Queen is completely neutral on this question and I don’t recognise that description.

“We have been very clear from the beginning, as have they, that the Queen thinks this is a matter for the people of Scotland and is above political affray.”

Under Scottish Government plans, the Queen would be retained as head of state should Scotland vote Yes on September 18.

The Queen did appear to come out against devolution and independence in a Silver Jubilee Speech in 1977.

She said then: “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 this United Kingdom.”