The Queen's annual ball held for staff on her Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire has been postponed from Thursday to Friday. The party is said to have been pushed back a day to allow Her Majesty's workers time to vote in the country's referendum on 18 September that will decide whether Scotland gains independence. One employee, who called the event "the most exclusive ball in the world," told The Guardian: "It's quite a big ceilidh, with pipers and plenty of music, like something out of the movies. You might even find yourself dancing with the Queen. It's usually on this Thursday."
The Queen said she hoped "people will think very carefully about the future" before voting
The royal family employs around 50 full-time staff plus 50-100 part-time workers to maintain the Scottish estate. While the Queen has made no open claims about which way she hopes the vote will go, she was overheard telling one well-wisher outside the church near Balmoral that she hoped "people will think very carefully about the future" before voting Yes or No.
Prince Harry delivers Queen's message at Invictus GamesThere has been little sign of bias around the 20,000-hectare estate, with few campaign leaflets spotted in sight compared to other parts of the country.
The Queen has been enjoying her annual stay at Balmoral with Prince Philip
Ahead of the vote, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying: "Any suggestion that The Queen would wish to influence the outcome of the current referendum campaign is categorically wrong. Her Majesty is simply of the view that this is a matter for the people of Scotland." The palace added that the 88-year-old monarch's constitutional impartiality "is an established part of our democracy and one which The Queen has demonstrated throughout her reign."
The Queen and Prince Charles all smiles at Braemar GatheringApart from David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg who have taken the No pledge, other famous faces have made no secret of which way they would vote.
J.K. Rowling shared her thoughts on Twitter, writing: "Big day in Scotland tomorrow #indyref. My head says no and my heart shouts it – but whatever happens, I hope we're all friends by Saturday." She also made a £1million donation to the pro-UK Better Together campaign back in June. Queen christens Scotland-built warship with whisky Sir Mick Jagger and Dame Judi Dench have also signed a letter urging voters to say No to independence, while Vivienne Westwood proudly wore a Yes badge at her show during London Fashion Week.