Crossword Genius

A Queen reportedly governs charges (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arraigns

'charges' is the definition.
(arraigning is a kind of charging)

'a queen reportedly governs' is the wordplay.
'queen' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for regina, e.g. in ER ).
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'governs' becomes 'reigns' (reigning is a kind of governing).
'reigns' sounds like 'raigns'.
'a'+'r'+'raigns'='ARRAIGNS'

(Other definitions for arraigns that I've seen before include "Calls to court to answer an indictment" , "Accuses, indicts" , "Accuses, finds fault with -often in court" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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