A privy council is a body that advises a head of state, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchical government. The term "privy" (from French privé) signifies private or secret. Consequently, a privy council, more common in the past, existed as a group of a ruling monarch's most trusted court advisors. Its purpose was to consistently provide confidential advice on matters of state. Despite the abolition of monarchy, some privy councils remained operational, while others were individually disbanded, allowing the monarchical system to continue to exist without a secret crown council.
Privy councils
Functioning privy councils
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Government
! Privy Council
|-
| Belgium
| Crown Council of Belgium
|-
| Bhutan
| Privy Council of Bhutan
|-
| Brunei Darussalam
| Privy Council of Brunei
|-
| Cambodia
| Supreme Privy Advisory Council
|-
| Canada
| King's Privy Council for Canada
|-
| Denmark
| Danish Council of State
|-
| Monaco
| Crown Council of Monaco
|-
| Netherlands
| Dutch Council of State
|-
| Norway
| Norwegian Council of State
|-
| Thailand
| Privy Council of Thailand
|-
| Tonga
| Privy Council of Tonga
|-
| United Kingdom
| His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council
|}
Former or dormant privy councils
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Monarchy
! Privy Council
! Notes
|-
| Austrian Empire/Austria-Hungary
|
| Abolished 1919
|-
| Bermuda
| Privy Council of Bermuda
| Split in 1888
|-
| Empire of Brazil
| His Imperial Majesty's Council
| Honorific title, some were part of the Council of Ministers or the Council of State; abolished by a coup in 1889
|-
| Konbaung dynasty (Burma)
| Byedaik
| Abolished 1885
|-
| Qing dynasty (China)
| Grand Council
| Abolished 1898
|-
| Kingdom of England
| Privy Council of England
| Replaced by the Privy Council of Great Britain on 1 May 1708
|-
| Sweden
| Privy Council of Sweden
| Abolished 1789
|-
| Kingdom of Yugoslavia
| Privy Council of Yugoslavia
| Abolished 1945, revived in pretence 1990 and replaced by the Privy Council of Serbia in 2006.
|-
| Sultanate of Sulu
| Ruma Bichara (State Council)
| Abolished after Spanish colonization of the Philippines
|}
See also
- Council of State
- Crown Council
- Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)
- Privy Council ministry
- State Council