A
camarilla is a group of
courtiers or favourites who surround a king or ruler. Usually, they do not hold any office or have any official authority at
court but influence their ruler behind the scenes. Consequently, they also escape having to bear responsibility for the effects of their advice. The term derives from the Spanish word,
camarilla (diminutive of
cámara), meaning "little chamber" or private cabinet of the king. It was first used of the circle of cronies around Spanish King
Ferdinand VII (reigned 1814-1833). The term involves what is known as
cronyism. The term also entered other languages like the
German and
Greek language, and is used in the sense given above.