His bisexuality, but also his death, have been much discussed. It may make Willem II one of the most discussed kings ever. He is as popular as ever in Tilburg. His memory is kept alive with a statue, a street and its own football stadium. This month marks the 175th anniversary of his death and Tilburg honors him in many ways, including a city walk.
“Here I breathe freely and feel happy,” King Willem II once said about Tilburg. And they remain proud of that statement in the city. It is not without reason that the winged statement hangs large on the facade of the palace/town hall. The palace that was built on behalf of William II, but also the palace where he never lived. “The king died two weeks early,” explains city guide Marcel de Reuver. “His body was laid out in the hall of the palace and there the people of Tilburg could say goodbye.”
“What do you think of this king here?”
According to De Reuver, the city was in mourning: “From the common man to the notables, everyone loved the king.” He tastefully recites an anecdote that illustrates this: “The king arrives on a rainy day at Herdgang De Rijt, a few shabby houses. That’s where he wants to hide. He knocks on Vrouwke van Est’s door and she does not notice that it is the king. So he asks her, ‘What do you actually think of this king here?‘ ‘That’s it sun nice man,” she says. To which he says: ‘I don’t really like it. It doesn’t belong here, does it?’”
“In the end, Vrouwke van Est gets so angry that she grabs a broom and chases him out of her house: ‘You will never come back here again!’ Three days later there is a knock on the door and a new piece of furniture is delivered with a note: ‘And next time I don’t hope for anything anymore. unne having to sit in a bucket. The king.’ That shows how popular he was among the ordinary, simple Tilburg citizen.”
In the new town hall, an entire wall has been decorated on the ground floor to keep the memory of William II alive. The eye-catcher is a beautiful stained glass window depicting the king on horseback, with the Heikese Church and the house where he died behind him. Also unique: his wedding portrait. The only painting in which he is depicted with his wife, Anna Paulowna.
“Bisexual? That is not the story in Tilburg.”
Married or not, there are also many rumors about the king. He was bisexual and had a casual sex life. But that will not be a hot issue during the city walk, says Petra Robben of the City Museum: “In Tilburg we don’t want that to be the story. Everyone can be who they are here. You’re not going to make a story exciting or suggestive in that way. Yes, he was bisexual. Point.” De Reuver adds: “Questions are often asked during the tour and we do not avoid them. We don’t make a fuss about it, but it has to be something normal.”
Yet at that time, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was sinful. Bisexuality was called sodomy. Robben: “It was not easy for him politically, it is said that he was blackmailed with it. But that’s why he said: in Tilburg I felt free and happy. Here he could be who he wanted to be. We also think that is a beautiful legacy and we want to radiate that as Tilburg.”
When the king was not feeling well in March 1849, he consciously wanted to withdraw to Tilburg. His personal physician advised against it, but he persevered and got into his carriage. In Tilburg his health situation deteriorated and he died. After his death, as was customary at the time, a death mask was made of his face. The cast can be seen in the exhibition in the town hall that is visited during the city walk.
From Wednesday, March 12, the Tilburg city museum will organize eight walks in the footsteps of King Willem II. Participation is free, more information can be found here.
