Crossword Genius

Familiar with monarch but no aristocrat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

commoner

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'no aristocrat' is the definition.
(ordinary person as opposed to an aristocrat)

'familiar with monarch but' is the wordplay.
'familiar' becomes 'common' (synonyms).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'monarch but' becomes 'er' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'common'+'er'='COMMONER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for commoner that I've seen before include "Person not royal or of the nobility" , "more frequently encountered" , "Not a nobleman" , "certain type of undergraduate" , "Non-noble" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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