There is no lack of respect in just referring to her as such. Singular they appeared in Shakespearean plays and such works, but it was never common verbiage used by everyday people to refer to a single known (<- important) person. For ambiguous cases, like a hooded figure whose identity is unknown, it's fine and even good to use. When that's not the case like here, it reads poorly with no upside.[appeal to triviality]
[actual argument about respect]
[historical revisionism]
[appeal to triviality once more]