Crossword Genius

Gracious and firm queen (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cor

'gracious' is the definition.
(both are exclamations of surprise)

'firm queen' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'queen' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for regina, e.g. in ER ).
'co'+'r'='COR'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cor that I've seen before include "Gosh" , "Surprised expression" , "Expression of surprise" , "Blimey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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