26 JUNE 1953, Page 4

Queen of Scots

During King George VI's last visit to Glasgow a man in the crowd unfurled a banner with a. mild enough Scottish nationalist slogan on it. He was jostled about for his pains before being removed by the police to a less conspicuous position. Many Scots may imagine that, to their political and economic disadvantage, their national existence within the Union is insufficiently recognised in England; and an extra numeral in the Queen's cipher may offend their amour pro pre', but their loyalty to the Crown is not in question, and there never was any doubt that their first Elizabeth would be welcomed in Edinburgh, her second capital, with anything less than the greatest warmth. Not surprisingly there was much indignation when it was heard that the police were checking up at every address along the processional routes. Such precautions are advisable in Belfast, perhaps, but hardly in the most correct of all cities in Britain. Even the wild men who would throsv a bomb at a pillar-box any day must have put on their best suits, left their gelignite at home, and cheered with the rest when the reality behind the cipher which so grievously offends them drove through the noble grey streets. If there is any substance in the quarrel, such as it is, between Westminster and public opinion in Scotland, the Queen stands outside it and the Scots know very well that she does.