The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MONARCHY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
M
O
N
A
R
C
H
Y
More clues leading to the result MONARCHY
- Ruling group on for blocking demo by end of day
- Anchor adrift in my kingdom
- . Rule operating during parade at end of May
- Working during month near start of year in UK?
- UK possibly shows cunning taking on money after abandoning Europe
- Old knight needs cunning in my kingdom
- Harmony sprays containing carbon that comes by royal appointment
- National institution working to stop protest by yard
- Country like Norway, Sweden, or Denmark, in which child generally succeeds
- Protest about running Hillary, ultimately? Republicans oppose it
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Ruling group" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ruling group = monarchy.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MONARCHY mean?
MONARCHY noun- A government in which sovereignty is embodied within a single, today usually hereditary head of state (whether as a figurehead or as a powerful ruler).
- The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.
- A form of government where sovereignty is embodied by a single ruler in a state and his high aristocracy representing their separate divided lands within the state and their low aristocracy representing their separate divided fiefs.
- States based on a system of governance headed by a king or a queen.