Sad lament for inherited status (6)
I believe the answer is:
mantle
'inherited status' is the definition.
(as in taking up the mantle from someone else)
'sad lament' is the wordplay.
'sad' indicates an anagram.
'lament' with letters rearranged gives 'MANTLE'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for mantle that I've seen before include "Robe or gas-lamp fitting" , "Loose outer garment or covering" , "Lament in loose cloak" , "Cloak or loose outer garment" , "Layer below earth's crust" .)