retinue

This term carries a strong connotation of status, prestige, and formality. It describes a group that exists specifically to serve or support a high-ranking individual, such as a monarch, a diplomat, or a celebrity. While similar to "entourage," "retinue" often suggests a more traditional, structured, or official arrangement of attendants.

In modern usage, the word can be used literally to describe official staff or ironically to describe someone who is excessively surrounded by friends or hangers-on. It implies a clear hierarchy where the central figure is the focal point of the group's attention and service.