Crossword Genius

Group of people of high rank? No thanks (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

noblesses

'group of people of high rank?' is the definition.
(noblesse means a country's nobility)

'no thanks' is the wordplay.
'thanks' becomes 'blesses' (bless can mean to express thanks).
'no'+'blesses'='NOBLESSES'

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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