Poor girl kept from starving by royal command (5)

I believe the answer is:

nelly

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'poor girl' is the definition.
'Nelly' can be an answer for 'girl' (girl's name). I am not certain of the 'poor' bit.

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nelly that I've seen before include "Let not poor - starve (Charles II)" , "Life" , "Silly person" , "Fool" , "See 11" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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