Crossword Genius

Back Her Majesty to be more authoritarian (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sterner

'be more authoritarian' is the definition.
(authoritarian can mean strict)

'back her majesty' is the wordplay.
'back' becomes 'stern' (stern is a kind of back).
'her majesty' becomes 'er' (Elizabeth Regina).
'stern'+'er'='STERNER'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for sterner that I've seen before include "more inflexible anyway" , "More grimly serious" , "Renters of more strict sort" , "More demanding" , "More severe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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