Love song played to president of Mexico at Buckingham Palace banquet
The Mexican president dined on noisettes of Windsor estate lamb and spiced chocolate torte at the Buckingham Palace state banquet to the sounds of a Mexican love song.
Enrique Pena Nieto and the Mexican first lady Angelica Rivera joined the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and some 170 guests at the white tie event.
Actress Salma Hayek, who was born in Mexico, was among the guests invited to the lavish white tie event in the ballroom hosted by the Queen for Enrique Pena Nieto. Words: PA
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York were among the members of the royal family present.
In an address at the start of the banquet, the Queen paid tribute to the warm ties between the UK and Mexico.
"The United Kingdom and Mexico have enjoyed a long and enduring friendship," the monarch said.
"We remain proud to have been the first European country to recognise Mexican Independence where ties of family, friendship, commerce and international cooperation link us in so many ways."
She described the two nations as "natural partners on many pressing issues in today's international agenda".
Highlighting the dual year initiative which celebrates the "Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom" and the "Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico", the Queen added: "Mr President, your visit in this special year is most welcome. I am confident that it will strengthen the warm friendship between our two countries."
The accompanying music by The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra includes the Mexican love song Estrellita - Star of Love - by Manuel Ponce, as well as the Mexican bolero classic Somos Novois - It's Impossible - by Armando Manzanero
Other pieces to entertain guests such as Prime Minister David Cameron include For Your Eyes Only - from the Bond film of the same name.
Mr Pena Nieto, speaking in Spanish, used his speech to heap praise on the Queen.
"During more than six decades of accelerated global transformation, you have leaded this emblematic constitutional monarchy with admirable devotion, temperance, wisdom and dignity," he said.
"At the commencement of your reign, your youthfulness was a symbol of renovation and hope; it represented a new beginning for your country, after the arduous years of reconstruction that followed the Second World War II.
"As head of state, you have presented to the world the positive image and influence of the United Kingdom.
"Under your reign, your country has been a major cultural reference; advocate of essential values such as freedom, democracy and human rights.
"You, Your Majesty, have been a source of identity and unity to your people; you have been a key figure to reaffirm your nation as a global player."
He added: "Our countries are proud of their past and trust in their future.
"They have achieved a balance between identity and modernity.
"The reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has been, precisely, like that: a balance between tradition and change."
His speech was followed by the national anthem and then a round of applause - something that may have pleased Mr Pena Nieto greatly.
Here is the menu in full:
Poached fillets of Dover sole with wild mushrooms and shellfish cream sauce
Noisettes of Windsor estate lamb, sauteed artichokes, green beans and marinated tomatoes
Boulangere potatoes
Gratinated fennel
Spiced chocolate torte
Selection of assorted fruits
Coffee and petit fours
Camel Valley Pinot Noir 2008 Brut
Felton Road Chardonnay 2008, Central Otago
Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts 1999
(Domaine Hudelot-NoeIIat)
G.H. Mumm Demi-Sec
Warre's Vintage Port 1977
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