When the Germans invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, the Queen left the Hague for the safety of the extreme south of the country. However the Germans got there before her, so she hastily left for London on 13 May and was soon joined by her government. She was welcomed in London and continued to see to the affairs of state and look after the welfare of her subjects in exile. She also spoke to those who were left behind on Radio Oranje on the anniversary of the invasion and on other special occasions. Wilhelmina visited the Netherlands in March 1945 as a guest of the Allied authorities but finally returned on 2 May.
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