Commenting on the enthusiastic welcome Verwoerd received from his supporters on his return, Douglas Mitchell remarked "They are cheering because we have withdrawn from the world. Will they cheer when the world withdraws from us?" In a speech made following the announcement, Verwoerd said: I appeal to the English-speaking people of South Africa not to allow themselves to be hurt, though I can feel their sadness. A framework has fallen away, but what is of greater importance is friendship and getting together as one nation – as white people who have to defend their future together. Now there is a chance of standing together – one free country standing together on a basis which is the desire of friendship with Great Britain. Following the end of apartheid, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth, thirty-three years to the day that the republic was established. Establishment of Republic Inauguration of State President The Republic of South Africa was declared on 31 May 1961, Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state, and the last Governor General of the Union, Charles R. Swart, took office as the first State President. Swart had been elected as State President by Parliament by 139 votes to 71, defeating H A Fagan, the former Chief Justice, favoured by the Opposition. Legal and heraldic changes Other symbolic changes also occurred: Legal references to "the Crown" were replaced by those to "the State". Oaths of allegiance were no longer to the Queen, but to the Republic of South Africa. Queen's Counsels became known as Senior Counsels. The "Royal" title was dropped from the names of some South African Army regiments, such as the Natal Carbineers. However, some institutions retained the "Royal" title, such as the Royal Natal National Park and the Royal Society of South Africa The mace in the House of Assembly, featuring the Crown at its head, was replaced by a new mace with the coats of arms of the four provinces, as well as sailing ships and ox wagons. Despite the change to republican status, the coat of arms of Natal continued to display a crown, which had only been added to the arms in 1954, although this was neither the St Edward's Crown, with which the Queen had been crowned, nor the Tudor Crown, used by previous British monarchs, but a distinctive design. Other references to the monarchy had been removed before the establishment of