years of struggle, she was undeniably Norway's Ambassador Number 1, because of her charm, humanity, wisdom and tact. As Secretary of Foreign Affairs I had to turn to her many times, and the results she achieved and the advice she offered, were always of value." In 1942, during her father-in-law's birthday celebrations in London, Märtha was invested by him as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, stating that her appointment to the order was "not because you are a Crown Princess, but because you have earned it." Post-war period When she returned to Norway following the war in 1945, Princess Märtha received a hero's welcome and was referred to as "Mother of the Nation". She wholly embraced her role as Crown Princess of Norway and made tremendous efforts towards ensuring the stability and well-being of all Norwegians. As King Haakon’s health declined, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess assumed a growing number of official engagements. The Crown Princess became involved in many official tasks, and even made the annual New Year’s Eve speeches in 1946 and 1950. After the war, Crown Princess Märtha suffered from poor health. Death Following a lengthy period of ill-health, Märtha died of cancer at The National Hospital in Oslo on 5 April 1954 and was buried at Akershus Castle. Her death came whilst her elder daughter Princess Ragnhild was expecting her first child and just over three years before her husband ascended the throne as King. Legacy A 970,000 km² area in Antarctica is named Princess Martha Coast in her honor. A statue of the princess, created by Kirsten Kokkin was erected outside the Norwegian embassy in Washington, D.C. in 2005. In 2007, a replica of the statue was erected in the courtyard of the Royal Palace in Oslo. A third replica was erected outside The Norwegian Seamen`s Church in Stockholm, Sweden, unveiled by her daughter, Princess Astrid in 2008. This church, Kronprinsesse Märthas kirke is named after her. Crown Princess Märtha’s Memorial Fund is a charitable trust administered by the Norwegian Crown. The Crown Princess's youngest daughter, Princess Astrid, serves as chairperson. Initially established as Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Märtha’s Fund on 1 April 1929, the fund "is to provide financial support to social and humanitarian initiatives carried out by non-governmental organizations." In 2005, the Fund had assets of approximately 28 million Norwegian krone (NOK), and issued