Championship leaders Hamilton extended their unbeaten run to five games as Mickael Antoine-Curier scored the winner in Dumfries despite the Home side dominating for most of the match.
Queens started brightly and only a deflection prevented Carmichael from scoring earlier on.
Antoine-Curier then got the break of the ball to control Tony Andreu's cut-back before finishing past Queen of the South goalkeeper Zander Clark for his third goal of the season.
In the second half Hamilton goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert prevented an equaliser just with a superb save from a Derek Lyle header.
The striker had another header cleared off the line by Stephen Hendrie.
Eamonn Brophy almost gave Hamilton a two-goal cushion minutes after replacing Antoine-Curier.
Queens finished strongly but Hamilton were happy to hold out for a vital win.
The Home side did enough to at least gain a draw but it was not to be and next weeks clash with Morton takes on a whole new meaning.
Images courtesy of Sandy Robertson