Privy Council
Historically, a select number of powerful men that met with the monarch in private (hence the name). Today, the Privy Council has some limited executive and judicial functions.
The Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British monarch and one of Britain's oldest institutions. It is dating back to the earliest days of the monarchy when it comprised those chosen by the King or Queen to advise them in important matters of state.
Elizabeth I's Privy Council consisted of about 40 members. Today there are 546 members, including all cabinet members past and present, the leaders of all the main parties, the Speaker, Archbishops, senior judges and some other important public figures. These members are appointed for life by the Queen on the prime minister's advice and are entitled to use the prefix "Right Honourable".
Sources
- "The Monarchy Today." The Official Website of the British Monarchy. http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandGovernment/QueenandPrivyCouncil.aspx