Britain's decision to enter World War 1 was made by the government, led by Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on 28 June 1914, the British government followed a policy of cautious neutrality. However, Asquith and his cabinet were increasingly drawn into the conflict as the crisis deepened and Germany invaded neutral Belgium on 4 August 1914. After consulting with the cabinet, the prime minister made the decision to declare war on Germany and its allies.