Crossword Genius

Soldier hiding a stone in royal house (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lancaster

'royal house' is the definition.
(Lancaster is an example)

'soldier hiding a stone' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'lancer' (lancer is a kind of soldier).
'hiding' indicates putting letters inside.
'stone' becomes 'st'.
'a'+'st'='ast'
'lancer' placed around 'ast' is 'LANCASTER'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for lancaster that I've seen before include "City in north-west England" , "John of Gaunt?" , "City of NW England" , "University" , "Historical English royal house with the emblem of a red rose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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