Station: [12] The Valet's Room

You are now standing in the valet’s room.

The red carpet has led you into a room that appears simple at first glance. Yet its function was important. The valet was responsible for the master of the house’s wardrobe. This also explains the surprisingly large closet for such a small room.

But his duties went further. He enjoyed a close, trusting relationship with his master. He also supervised and maintained the private chambers. This room, therefore, was part of an area where closeness, reliability, and daily order came together.

There was originally a door on the right-hand wall. It led to an interior stairwell for the servants. In this way, the staff remained practically invisible. It is precisely in a room like this that it becomes clear just how precisely the pathways through the house were organized. One was expected to be present without drawing attention to oneself.

The paintings in this room also have their fixed place within this order. The portraits once again depict members of Wilhelm I’s family. Thus, what you have already encountered in other rooms continues here: this small room, too, is integrated into the larger family and court structure.

As you continue on, you’ll come to a passageway with a very specific purpose. It served as a connecting space between the king’s and queen’s chambers. At the same time, it was used as a place to store clothing. After the valet’s rather hidden workspace, your path thus leads you into a transitional space.

This concludes this brief look at the valet’s room, an unassuming yet revealing spot within the private quarters.