THE Church of Scotland has claimed a future monarch should have a second coronation to confirm his or her status north of the Border if there is a Yes result in next year's independence referendum.

The intervention came in a report exploring the implications of the country leaving the UK when it said such a ceremony would be needed to confirm the monarch's role as King or Queen of Scots.

The Church of Scotland document also calls on the Scottish Government to publish its written constitution for Scotland before the vote on September 18, 2014, saying it is critical the debate takes place before the country's future is decided.

Ministers have already set out plans for a written constitution to be devised by the first independent parliament and the public in 2016.

However, the Reverend Dr Doug Gay, co-author of the report and Principal of Trinity College, Glasgow University, said: "It is vitally important we are able to see any draft Scottish constitution before the referendum on Scottish independence.

"I am hopeful that, whatever the outcome of the independence vote, we will continue to build a pluralist society where the views of those of all faiths and none can be heard fairly and without fear of prejudice."

He added: "The Church of Scotland is a broad church, with monarchists and republicans in its membership. However, officially and corporately it remains firmly committed to retaining the monarchy.

"The historic central view of the Church is that any monarch is king or queen of the Scottish people, not the nation of Scotland. They rule only with the consent of the people.

"The Church would be in support of a Scottish coronation to reflect this important role and to celebrate a unique relationship."

The report was prepared by three influential bodies – the Church and Society Council, the Committee on Ecumenical Relations and the Legal Questions Committee – and will go before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for discussion next month.

The last monarch to be crowned in Scotland was Charles II in 1651 at Scone Palace, Perthshire.

The Stone of Destiny, traditionally used during the coronation of the kings of Scotland, was removed to England by Edward I in 1296, returning in 1996 to Edinburgh Castle where it is kept alongside the Honours of Scotland, Scotland's crown jewels.

The report says a post-independence coronation ceremony would reaffirm the Church's commitment to the monarchy, and serve as a reminder of the monarch's obligations to "uphold Scottish religious life and traditions and in particular her or his role with regard to the Church of Scotland".

However, the Scottish Government has backed away from the idea.

A spokeswoman said: "We welcome all contributions to the debate on Scotland's future. The Scottish Government will publish a White Paper this autumn that will set out the choice people will be making when they vote in the referendum – it will set out the structure of the state and the starting point of an independent Scotland."

She said an independent Scotland's first parliament would consider the proposal and agree, following public consultations, a written constitution.