I have a hive that has repeatedly superceded queens they've either reared themselves (or the one I introduced), after they have mated and started laying good patterns. I'm alway very careful when I inspect the brood chamber b/c I don't want to harm the queen. To my knowledge, I've not killed any queens accidentally in the past, and can't imagine I would have done this 3 times to this hive. This hive is currently rearing, again, thier own queen. I am not going to intervene and try to introduce another queen (didn't work last time as you can see). There are plenty of workers, brood and stores in this hive. Hopefully, this perplexing hive will rear a queen and accept her as begin gearing up for fall and winter.
Best of luck on the inspection of your queen!
Derrick