Crossword Genius

Setter backing Iron Lady in charge? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empress

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lady in charge?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'setter backing iron' is the wordplay.
'setter' becomes 'me' (the setter of the clue).
'backing' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'iron' becomes 'press' (I've seen this before).
'me' reversed gives 'em'.
'em'+'press'='EMPRESS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empress that I've seen before include "In Victoria, say" , "Victoria, the > female penguin?" , "Catherine the Great, for example" , "leading lady" , "Queen Victoria was one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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