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Following the abdication of her sister Marie-Adélaïde, Charlotte unexpectedly ascended the grand-ducal throne in January 1919. In 1939, the 100th anniversary of Luxembourg’s independence fostered a new sense of national identity among the population. Charlotte thus became a symbol of Luxembourg’s national independence. When the Second World War began on 1 September 1939, preparations were made for the head of state and for the government to flee in the event of an invasion. On 10 May 1940 Charlotte went into exile. Her activities in England and the USA secured Luxembourg’s place on the side of the Allies. She met with many politicians, including US President Roosevelt. She made broadcasts to Luxembourgers at home via the BBC and thus bolstered the morale of the resistance, for whom she became a cult figure. Charlotte returned to Luxembourg on 14 April 1945. A few months earlier, the Battle of the Bulge had destroyed thousands of homes in the north and east of the country. The Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte relief organization was established to help war victims. The Grand Duchess also felt the need to visit the destroyed areas herself. She met with victims, listened to their concerns and sometimes even provided direct assistance.