Hidden Council

"What did you expect? We do not exist in a bubble untouched by the world outside us. The Minister for Magic meets with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister meets with the Queen - and the Queen, far more so than muggles - is the supreme authority in our culture. The Queen can command us as monarchs have commanded since before Parliment was even an idea. We wizards are far more beholden to Royal authority than any muggle."

— Andreil Caine

The Hidden Council is the magical version of the Privy Council

Sovereign Authority

It is not really spoken of or thought about much, but when the British became a constitutional monarchy, the wizarding world did not want to ruled by muggles. It was (eventually) decided they would be ruled by the Ministry of Magic, and by the Monarchy directly. The Monarch would not lose any power over the wizarding world.
While the Ministry runs the day to day business of the wizarding world, and the Hidden Council advises the Queen, the Queen retains final authority over the wizarding world.

Structure

The Hidden Council is small, by necessity. While its composition has varied throughout the years, it is currently thus:

Witches & Wizards

• The Ministry Historian
• Pureblood Member of the Wizengamot
• Minister's Representative (pureblood)
• Halfblood Employee of the Ministry
• Halfblood Citizen (Scholar)
• Muggleborn Employee of the Ministry or Citizen
• Squib

Muggles

• Noble of the Royal Line
• Member of Her Majesty's Governemt who knows of the Magical Worl

Members of the Hidden Council are appointed by the Crown and only the Crown upon recommendation from the Ministry of Magic or Her Majesty's Governemnt and, with one exception, these appointments are lifetime appointments.
The Council is addressed as the Most Honorable Magical Council and individual members of the Council are Right Honorable.
However, the Monarch is allowed and entitled to overrule these recommendations and appoint whosoever they wish to the Hidden Council at any time they wish, for any reason they wish.
The oath and ceremony to become a member of the Hidden Council is very similar to that of becoming a member of the Privy Council:
A member kneels on a stood before the Monarch and kisses their hands, and then gives an oath of office:

You do swear, by Almight God, to be a truth and faithful Servent unto the Queen's Majesty as one of Her Majesty's Hidden Council. You will not know or understand of any manner of things to be attmpted, done or spoken against Her Majesty's Person, Honour, Crown, or Dignity Royal, but you will let and withstand the same to the uttermst of your Power, and either cause it to be revealed to Her Majesty Herself to so uch of Her Hidden Council as shall advise Her Majesty of the same. You will, in all things to be moved, treated, and debated in Council, faithfully and truly declare your Mind and Opinion, according to your Heart and Conscience; and will keep secret all Matters comitted and revealed unto you, or that shall be treated of secretly in Council. And if any of the said Treaties or Counsels shall touch any of the Counsellors, you will not reveal it unto him, but will keep the same until such time as, by the Consent of Her Majesty, or of the Council, Publication shall be made thereof. You will to your uttermost bear Faith and Allegiance unto the Queen's Majesty; and will assist and defend all Jurisdictions, Pre-eminences, and Authorities, granted to Her Majesty, against all Foreign Princes, Persons, Prelates, States, or Potentates. And generally in all things you will do as a faithful and true Servant ought to do to Her Majesty. So help you God.

The major difference is that the Minister's Representative casts the binding of an Unbreakable Vow upon them as they swear this.

The Ministry Historian

The Ministry Historian is included in the Hidden Council to provide context and history and information to the Monarch and the rest of the Council to help them understand what is happening to make the best decision possible.

The Minister's Representative

This person is appointed to represent the interests of the Minister For Magic and their administration. They are recommended by the Minister, and are the only appointment that is not a life time appointment.

Wizengamot

The Wizengamot's representative speaks for the rest of the government, while the rest of the Council speaks for the people of the wizarding world.

Public Agenda

The Council ostensibly advises the Queen about the goings on of her magical subjects. The British governemnt doesn't fund hardly any of the magical world, but does help provide security to keep it secret.
Government funding does go to St. Mungo's as a public hostpital and to the Grand Library, as it also serves muggles. The Hidden Council deals with those dispersements, as well as the payment of taxes from the citizens to the Crown.
Normally, the Hidden Council meets once a quarter to advise and update the Queen, but they meet more often during times of crisis, such as during Voldemort's reigns of terror.
The Hidden Council also takes orders from the Crown back to the Ministry and requests things of the Crown.
Including the declaration of states of emergency and things like justitium.

History

The Hidden Council was established in 1 May 1708, barely a year after the Minstry of Magic was established, at the exact same time the current incarnation of the Privy Council was formed, and it has remained established since then.
The Hidden Council did not have halfblood, squib, or muggleborn members until 1982, when Voldemort's first war ended.

Spectemur agendo – Let us be judged by our actions

Founding Date

1 May 1708

Type

Secret, Government

Alternative Names

The Magical Privy Council

Related Ranks & Titles

• Ministry Historian

Controlled Territories

• Grand Library of the Wizengamot