Strike with English replacing current ruler (7)

I believe the answer is:

empress

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'ruler' is the definition.
(empress is a kind of ruler)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for empress that I've seen before include "Delilah?" , "In Victoria, say" , "She rules a vast realm" , "Victoria, the > female penguin?" , "She rules over vast territories" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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