Queen and Brown join forces to save Union

Mr Brown, who shares the Queen's grave fears about independence for Scotland, will travel to Balmoral, her Highland residence, shortly after he is confirmed as Prime Minister.

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A Palace source said: "In her five decades on the throne, the Queen has been careful to stay above party politics. But if there is one thing she cares passionately about, it is the Union."

The Royal summit is expected to take place in early September. Mr Brown will stay overnight at Balmoral and is likely to be accompanied by wife Sarah and sons John, three, and baby Fraser.

The emergence of the Nationalists, led by Alex Salmond, as the largest party in the Edinburgh Parliament raises the prospect of a referendum on independence, causing a major political headache for Scot Mr Brown at the start of his premiership.

Mr Salmond has insisted that there would be a role for the British Royals in an independent Scotland. But that is unlikely to calm the Queen's private concerns.

In public the Queen has been careful to avoid straying into political controversy. But she has in the past offered a glimpse of her passion about maintaining the Union.

In her Silver Jubilee address in 1977, made at the height of a previous public debate on Scottish independence, she remarked:

"I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

Sources close to Mr Brown say he is keen to build a close relationship with the Royal Family and eager to restore the traditional fortnightly audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Blair began his premiership briefing the Queen with scrupulous regularity, but the meetings became increasingly irregular as time went on.

By contrast, Mr Brown has been careful to maintain the tradition of informing the Sovereign about his annual Budget before telling the Cabinet and Parliament.

Indeed, in some years the Queen found out about the Chancellor's tax proposals before the Prime Minister.

The Chancellor has spoken repeatedly of his "Britishness" and is sensitive about claims that the English will refuse to tolerate being governed by a politician from north of the border.

In an interview with Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Brown denied that being a Scot was a "problem".

He said: "I am very proud of my Scottishness. I am proud also that I am a citizen of Britain."