Present queen's hen (5)

I believe the answer is:

layer

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'hen' is the definition.
(something which lays - eggs in this case)

'present queen's' is the wordplay.
'present' becomes 'lay' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'queen' becomes 'ER' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'lay'+'er'='LAYER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for layer that I've seen before include "Lamina" , "Tier or thickness - or a hen?" , "Stratum or thickness" , "plate?" , "Seam" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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