Power behind the throne

The phrase "power behind the throne" refers to a person or group that is understood to de facto wield the power of a high-ranking official (for example, a monarch), or whose support must be maintained to continue in office.^[1] In politics, it most commonly refers to a nominal subordinate or advisor to an officeholder (often called a "figurehead") who serves as de facto leader, setting policy through their influence. A similar meaning is conveyed by the term éminence grise.^[2]

Examples

Some examples of a "power behind the throne" include the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, who effectively rules the country for his 89-year old father King Salman.^[3] Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, who acted on behalf of Emir and President of the UAE Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan after he suffered a stroke in 2014, was often considered the de facto president of the UAE until Khalifa's death in 2022.^[4][5] In Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani was often called the power behind the throne of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.^[6] In Tonga, Australian missionary Rodger Page emerged as the most influential adviser of Queen Sālote, serving as royal chaplain to her for over 20 years.^[7] In Mexico, Joseph-Marie Córdoba Montoya, a naturalized Mexican of French origin, was chief of staff during the term of President Carlos Salinas de Gortari (1988–1994), and was considered the second-most powerful person in Mexico at the time.^[8] Diego Portales of Chile, who had significant influence in the political life of his country in early 1830s, reflected in the Constitution of 1833.^[9][10]

Related terms

A related term is éminence grise (French: "gray eminence"), a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or otherwise unofficially.^[2] This phrase was popularized by Aldous Huxley in referring to Cardinal Richelieu's right-hand man, François Leclerc du Tremblay (also known as the Père Joseph), a Capuchin friar who wore grey robes.^[2] Martin Bormann was referred to as the Brown Eminence, brown referring to the brown uniform of the Nazi Party.^[11]

See also

• Cabal
• Éminence grise
• Figurehead
• Ginger group
• Kingmaker
• Kitchen Cabinet
• Shadow government (conspiracy theory)
• Deep state