Crossword Genius

Clandestine group surrounding English king (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

secret

'clandestine' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'group surrounding english king' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'set' (both can mean a collection).
'surrounding' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'king' becomes 'CR' (short for Carolus Rex, King Charles in Latin).
'e'+'cr'='ecr'
'set' placed around 'ecr' is 'SECRET'.

(Other definitions for secret that I've seen before include "hushed prayer" , "Not to be disclosed" , "Kept hidden from others" , "Confidence" , "Cloak-and-dagger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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