Queen Elizabeth made her first comments Sunday about this week's Scottish independence vote, urging Scots to "think very carefully about the future."

But the popular monarch didn't indicate a preference on how Scots should vote, carefully maintaining the neutrality that is her constitutional obligation.

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron was scheduled to hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. ET today, which CBC News.ca will livestream.

Scots are to vote Thursday on a simple, six-word question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" The options are Yes or No.

Opinion polls have narrowed as the vote nears, adding to the suspense.

Scotland Referendum

A message supporting the Yes vote in the Scottish referendum on a mountain in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Peter Morrison/Associated Press)

While the queen has been careful not to betray her own opinion, some may interpret her comments as a suggestion that Scots looking to embrace independence should be cautious about severing Scotland's long ties to the United Kingdom, which date back more than 300 years.

The queen spoke after a Sunday church service near her Balmoral estate in Scotland. She made the comment to a well-wisher in the crowd.

Buckingham Palace recently issued a statement indicating her plan to remain neutral before Thursday's vote.

With files from CBC News, Reuters