Queens consolidation into NYC was kind of complicated. In 1898, Queens consisted of not only Queens, but all of what would become Nassau County. To make a long story short, three eastern towns in Queens (Hempstead, N Hempstead and Oyster Bay) voted to break away and become Nassau County rather than join the western section and join NYC.
Membership in New York City was never offered to them. They even remained in Queens County while the west was already taken over by Evil Manhattan. They could have remained Queens County.
I read that Queens voted with a clear majority to consolidate; only in Brooklyn was opposition very strong and consolidation approved by a small margin. So, it's incorrect to say that Queens' sovereignty was 'wrongfully stripped'.
Long Island City voted with a clear majority. The remainder voted as closely as Brooklyn.
Although, it's fun to imagine what Queens would be like today had it NOT joined NYC---or what Nassau County would be like had it remained a part of Queens and joined NYC as well....
Again, New York City membership was never offered to what is now Nassau County. If it remained part of Queens County, it would not be part of New York City anyway.