Leopold’s legacy

The tarnished memories of Belgium’s tyrant king

During his lifetime, Leopold II waged a ceaseless propaganda campaign to ensure his deeds in the Congo were viewed as entirely benevolent. This meant maintaining an international network of corrupt journalists, diplomats and dignitaries, who could be relied upon to sell Leopold’s African adventure as a mission to “civilise the natives”. Back in Belgium, meanwhile, it also meant using his ill-gotten gains to build the country’s sense of self-importance and his own reputation as a great and giving monarch, usually through extravagant architectural statements. One of the most powerful examples of this is the Cinquantenaire, a public park in Brussels’ Eastern Quarter. Hemmed in on three sides by grandiose buildings, Leopold begun work on this flamboyant project in 1880 to mark 50 years of Belgian independence. As his personal fortune…

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History Of Royals (Digital) - 1 Issue, No. 10

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