Crossword Genius

Before noble, one queen (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earlier

'before' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'noble one queen' is the wordplay.
'noble' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of noble).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'queen' becomes 'ER' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'earl'+'i'+'er'='EARLIER'

(Other definitions for earlier that I've seen before include "(Happening) before in time" , "Older" , "Sooner in time" , "Nearer the beginning" , "Beforehand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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