The term "royal court" refers to the group of people who surround and interact with a monarch or ruler. Synonyms to describe this group include "entourage," "retinue," "ecole," "staff," and "household." The entourage commonly refers to the people who accompany the monarch on his travels, while the retinue is the collective term for all those who are in direct contact with the ruler - including advisers, bodyguards, and personal assistants. The word "ecole" refers specifically to the personal household of the monarch or ruler. Lastly, the staff is the group of people who handle the administrative work of the royal court. Overall, these synonyms serve to describe the numerous individuals that make up the intricate social hierarchy of a monarch's court.