On 26 June 1952, Prime Minister Sidney Holland informed the House of his attendance at events in London following the death of King George VI. On 6 February 1952, he said the following, "The Leader of the Opposition and I were privileged to attend the funeral of King Georg VI. Before that we had been present at the Accession Council in the Throne Room at St James's Palace where the Rt Hon Mr Nash and I were placed at the end of the front row of Ministers and other Privy Councillors privileged to be present. I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition shared the deep feelings in my heart as our new and beloved Queen took her Oath of Accession, and as she signed her name for the first time: Elizabeth. And then she hesitated and she added for the first time, the letter 'R'. It crossed my mind that I was witnessing, in this company, history being written at that time, and I wondered how often that young hand will sign the same name in the days that lie ahead. I wondered at this historic occasion ushering in the new Elizabethan era. Let us all hope and pray that will come about."