Enrique Peña Nieto UK Visit 2015: Queen Elizabeth II Welcomes Mexican President [Photos]

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife, Angelica Rivera, when they paid a visit to the UK on Tuesday, March 3.

According to a report from Latin Times, the Mexican politician and his wife joined the Queen at the opening ceremony at the Horse Guards Palace in Central London's Whitehall, which was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and home secretary Theresa May.

The arrival of Mr. Peña Nieto and his wife was met by a royal salute of 41 guns which was fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the news outlet noted.

Check out photos from the three-day visit below.

The Mexican president visited the British Parliament in the Palace of Westminster Abbey to place a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He also "attended a state banquet offered by the monarch at Buckingham Palace," Fox News Latino wrote. Peña Nieto's visit aims to "concentrate on achieving closer economic, educational and cultural ties between the two countries," it added.

In a speech before the banquet, Peña Nieto stated that "Mexicans have special feelings of gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II." The president also added that the diplomatic relations between Britain and Mexico, are going through a "particularly symbolic moment." The two countries are known for being proud of their past and "believing in their future," Fox News Latino noted. 

UK Prime Minister Cameron, on the other hand, will take advantage of the visit to raise human rights issues in Mexico. Latin Times noted that "there has been growing pressure against the president over the abduction and apparent murder of 43 students by the state of Guerrero authorities."

On the first day of Peña Nieto's state visit, around 70 demonstrators gathered in front of 10 Downing Street, Cameron's official residence, carrying large black-and-white portraits to protest the deaths of the 43 missing Mexican students. The Mexican Attorney General's Office declared that the youths were reportedly "slain and their remains incinerated in a rubbish dump," Fox News Latino reported.

Before his state visit to UK, the Mexican president talked to Financial Times to discuss the murder of the 43 students. According to Peña Nieto, his administration must "reconsider" where they are headed.

His two years of presidency has gained positive responses for passing almost a dozen economic reforms, but has since plagued with "popular disquiet and an increasingly skeptical electorate," Financial Times wrote. He admitted that there has been "a sensation of incredulity and distrust" and a loss of confidence in his administration.