Monarch in total disarray gets a scolding (7,2)
I believe the answer is:
talking to
'a scolding' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'monarch in total disarray' is the wordplay.
'monarch' becomes 'king' (king is a kind of monarch).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'disarray' indicates an anagram.
'total' with letters rearranged gives 'talto'.
'king' inserted into 'talto' is 'TALKING-TO'.
'gets' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for talking to that I've seen before include "sharp rebuke" , "Earful" , "Reproof" , "reprimand" , "criticism" .)