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11/22/2024 08:19:00 am

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Queen Urges Scotland to Reconcile after Divisive Referendum

Queen Elizabeth II

(Photo : Reuters/Paul Grover/Pool) Queen Elizabeth II reportedly told a member of the public that she hopes Scotland would think about the future carefully ahead of the Scotland independence referendum on September 18.



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It has been three months since the referendum in Scotland when residents, on a vote of 55-45, opted to remain a part of the United Kingdom. However, the political exercise divided Scotland, and Queen Elizabeth believes it's about time to heal the rift caused by the referendum.

In her yearly Christmas message, the British monarch pointed to a Christmas ceasefire agreement between British and German troops a century ago to drive home the point of how differences could still be reconciled.

However, she admitted the process wouldn't happen overnight, saying, "Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland, after the referendum, many felt great disappointment while others felt great relief, and bridging these differences will take time," quotes Businesstimes.

However, the Scottish National Party (SNP) appears not hot for a reconciliation but would rather push for another referendum after the party's leadership changed from Alex Salmond, who previously said SNP would accept the referendum results, to Nicola Sturgeon who favors a second referendum.

Again, going back to the truce 100 years ago, the Queen said, reconciliation may appear dim but believes in the lasting power of peace and goodwill in man's heart.

She also cited another example of reconciliation in her visit to a former prison during the Victoria era, the Crumlin Road Gaol, which has been restored and opened to the public as a tourist destination, venue for musical events and to hold conferences.

The Queen pointed out that a jail which once was a detention cell for Irish Republican Army prisoners has been transformed into a place of hope and fresh purpose where people reach out to one another.

Queen Elizabeth, who is set to abdicate and pass the crown to Prince Charles, ended her speech praising the selflessness of aid workers who volunteered to help Ebola patients even if they risked their own lives.

She ended her talk with a reference to the popular Christmas carol, "Silent Night" that was sung by the German soldiers during their 1914 Christmas truce, which the royal said is a reminder that, "even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found."

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