Influential woman across the Channel (6,4)

I believe the answer is:

grande dame

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'influential woman' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

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(Other definitions for grande dame that I've seen before include "Older woman revered in her own field" , "Very influential woman" , "dominant lady in a field" , "Venerable lady" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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