Queen Wilhelmine leaves for London

On 13 May 1940, the Dutch defence was falling apart and German airborne troops were prowling around The Hague. Queen Wilhelmine, sovereign since 1898, had to decide her own fate and that of the continuity of the State, while the capture of the head of state by the enemy was a real threat.

The dilemma was that of every invaded head of state. To stay was to share the fate of one's people and risk capture, which would make the sovereign a hostage in the occupier's hands. To leave was to expose oneself to the charge of desertion, but to preserve the independence of the State and the possibility of continuing the war from abroad, alongside the Allies.

Wilhelmine could make for London to embody the continuity of the State and Dutch resistance. She could remain in the Netherlands at the risk of being captured. Or she could withdraw within the country (Zeeland) to hold out as long as possible. A few hours were all she had; the same dilemma would soon confront other invaded sovereigns.