Queen urges unity

Speaking from her Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on Friday, the Queen said she believes Scotland will unite in a "spirit of mutual respect and support" following the vote against Scottish independence.

She said she understood there would be "strong feelings and contrasting emotions among family, friends and neighbors" in Scotland and elsewhere, but had "no doubt" this would ultimately be softened by "an understanding of the feelings of others."

In Scotland's historic referendum on Thursday, Scottish voters rejected independence from the UK by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 - a somewhat more decisive result of 55 percent to 45 percent than many polls had predicted.

'Democratic tradition'

The Queen, who had previously said the referendum was "a matter for the people of Scotland," went on to praise the "robust democratic tradition" of the UK, adding that the outcome of the referendum "is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect."

"Now, as we move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the things that helps to unite us all," she said.

"My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task," the Queen added.

Salmond quits

The monarch's statement came just hours after Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Alex Salmond announced his resignation, following the defeat of his pro-independence campaign.

"For me, as leader, my time is nearly over: But for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream will never die," Salmond told reporters in Edinburgh on Friday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who faced the possibility of losing his job had Scotland voted to end their 307-year-old union within the UK, also said he was "delighted" at the outcome of Thursday's referendum.

"It would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end," he said during a speech outside 10 Downing Street.

ksb/glb (AFP, AP, dpa)