Scotland's politicians should keep in step with the public as they set about building the country's future, the Queen has hinted.
The message came at the ceremonial opening of the Scottish Parliament, now under minority control of the SNP.
First Minister, Alex Salmond of the SNP, told the ceremony he believed in an independent Scotland but acknowledged other politicians took a different view. "I welcome that debate and the national conversation to follow," he said.
"The challenge for all of us is to have that conversation with dignity, with respect, and with substance."
After the formal ceremony, MSPs set out with 1,200 guests for a traditional "riding" procession up Edinburgh's Royal Mile, followed by a programme of open-air entertainment.
In her address at the opening ceremony the Queen told MSPs how the mood of the Parliament had changed over the years, from one with "perhaps unrealistic" expectations in 1999. "Members of the Scottish Parliament, a few weeks ago you were elected by the Scottish people to serve the Scottish people," she said.
"This is both a privilege and a great responsibility."
She went on: "Today, in true Scottish style, you will walk with the people and party with the people. As you move into your third parliamentary session and a new form of politics, I am confident that the Scottish people will be at the heart of the business of this session as you keep on walking with them and together build a better and more sustainable future for this great land."
The ceremony to inaugurate the third session of the Scottish Parliament - the others began in 1999 and 2003 - made constitutional history. The SNP won last month's Holyrood elections with 47 seats out of 129, enough to form a minority administration.
Crowds lined Edinburgh's Royal Mile to watch the ancient crown of Scotland, dating back to 1540, being taken in procession to the Parliament building from Edinburgh Castle. The ceremony at the Parliament was accompanied by the full panoply of state ceremonial with trumpet fanfares, heralds, and a programme of music.
