A courtier is a person who attends the royal court of a monarch or other royalty. The earliest historical examples of courtiers were part of the retinues of rulers. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the official residence of the monarch, and the social and political life were often completely mixed together.
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester was a courtier favoured by Elizabeth I.
Portrait of a Persian courtier
Madame de Pompadour was a French royal mistress
Sir Walter Raleigh was a courtier favoured by Elizabeth I
A royal court, often called simply a court when the royal context is clear, is an extended royal household in a monarchy, including all those who regularly attend on a monarch, or another central figure. Hence, the word court may also be applied to the coterie of a senior member of the nobility. Royal courts may have their seat in a designated place, several specific places, or be a mobile, itinerant court.
The Sikh 'Court of Lahore'.
The Macartney Embassy. Lord Macartney salutes the Qianlong Emperor, but refuses to kowtow.
The Dutch court is known for old traditions.
One of the series of the reliefs of the Persian and Median dignitaries at Apadana stairs of Persepolis, all with weapons, but in a casual air—a rare depiction of an ancient court ceremony.
