 After the resignation of Kapeliele Tufele III on 13 November 1953, negotiations were difficult to choose the new king of Wallis.After Emmanuel Brial refused to be chosen, the royal family revoked the customary ministers and nominated new ones who elected Soane Toke, chief of the Hihifo district, as the new lavelua on 11 December.The very same day, a simple kava ceremony was held in Mata-Utu to officially install Soane Toke's nomination.