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The phrase 'power behind the throne' refers to a person or group that informally exercises the real power of an office. In politics, it most commonly refers to a spouse, aide, or advisor of a political leader (often called a "figurehead") who serves as ''de facto'' leader, setting policy through influence or manipulation.
The original concept of a power behind the throne was a Medieval-era figure of speech referring to the fact that the king's policies could be set by a counselor not seated in the throne but standing behind it—perhaps whispering in the king's ear—out of common sight.
Good historical examples of a "power behind the throne" include Diego Portales of Chile and General Hideki Tojo of Japan, who was influential in the military's actions leading up to World War II and later became Prime Minister of Japan in 1941. He served under Emperor Hirohito, who ruled as a deified figurehead. Another example is the rule of Pol Pot in Cambodia from 1975-1978, who led the Khmer Rouge to victory following a devastating civil war. King Norodom Sihanouk returned to reign over Cambodia, but held no executive power.
More modern examples of a "power behind the throne" exist as well, albeit in a more ambiguous sense, and most such allegations are highly controversial. In American politics, for example, Dick Cheney, the current U.S. Vice President, or Karl Rove, a chief political strategist, have been characterized by several Democrats as being "the power behind the throne" of President George W. Bush; similarly, the current U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton was mocked by several Republicans as having played the same role during the Presidency of her husband Bill Clinton, particularly with his failed healthcare plan. In 1996 in Canada, ''Maclean's'' magazine wrote of the First Lady of Canada Aline Chretien, "Never mind calling her the power behind the throne--she shares the seat of power."^[1]
Another modern example was Deng Xiaoping in China, who was recognized as China's paramount leader without holding the position of either General Secretary or President. As far as Latin America in concerned, a good example was Doctor Joseph Marie Cordoba Montoya during Carlos Salinas de Gortari Presidency (1988-1994). Dr. Cordoba Montoya, a French naturalized mexican, was the Head of the Office of the Presidency.
A related term is ''éminence grise'' (French: "gray eminence"), a powerful advisor or decision-maker who operates secretly or otherwise unofficially. This phrase originally referred to Cardinal de Richelieu's right hand man, François Leclerc du Tremblay (also known as the ''Père Joseph''), a Capuchin friar who wore grey robes. Because the Cardinal de Richelieu—the power behind the throne of Louis XIII, King of France—, as a Catholic cardinal, was styled ''Son Eminence'' ("His Eminence"), his alter ego Père Joseph was called ''l'éminence grise'' (meaning "Grey Eminence," which is also the English title of his biography by Aldous Huxley).

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References

1. "The opinions the PM heeds," ''Maclean's'', October 14, 1996, vol. 109, issue 42, p. 18-19.