Crossword Genius

Phony prince initially about to get offer (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pretender

'phony' is the definition.
(a pretender is phony or fake)

'prince initially about to get offer' is the wordplay.
'prince' becomes 'p' (abbreviation).
'initially about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about. I am not sure about the 'initially' bit.).
'to get' says to put letters next to each other.
'offer' becomes 'tender' (tender can mean to offer something).
'p'+'re'+'tender'='PRETENDER'

(Other definitions for pretender that I've seen before include "fake" , "Claimant, like Bonnie Prince Charlie" , "One acting" , "One who claims a title or position" , "One claiming a title" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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