Step forward or back in what sense, in relation to what? We cannot measure an issue if we do not know with relation to what we are measuring it.

Nancy, counter-questions. 1) why do you care? why does anyone care? and 2) why don't the British fire the entire set of parasites? WE, Americans, got rid of royalty and titles circa 1776; why do the British keep them? I'll grant you in the US there's been a substitution of sports, Hollywood, political and business celebrities for royalty. I can imagine how maintaining British royalty serves the usual capitalist practice of creating social-economic hierarchy for social control, but why are so many Brits so fascinated by the sordid family quarrels of "the Royal Family"? Is this just a historical blight weighing on the present, or just the counterpart of essentially the same, but mutated, problem in the US - manifest in news stories and the tabloids universally available at grocery check out stations?

@ Lukáš Mareček ,

Thanks for your reply. This question may be premature in that the situation is still in flux. Originally, I, as a literary comparatist with specialization in British literature as well as postcolonialist ethics, experienced a deja vu of the global expansionism of the British Empire, only an echo, really. Quite to the contrary, recent news reports indicate exactly the opposite. Evidently, Harry, Megan, and Archie, are being shorn of their royal accoutrements.

I think they strongly believe that they will have a better and more fulfilled life outside the royal duties. Their decision to try something new is welcome. I wish them success.

Also, I believe before they make such decision public, they must have calculated it very well, weighed the pros and cons, and are convinced that their decision will be productive

Harry Cleaver ,

To reply to your counter-questions: (1) Although not unprecedented, the unexpected turn of events, from a royal wedding of a couple from ethnologically and nationalistically opposite backgrounds, to radical reversal intrigues me. What appeared to be a thoroughly modern democratic bonding without regard to race and national origins has now been somewhat negated. (2) Before I can respond, you will have to clarify your derogatory diction, which is unjustified because blatantly disrespectful of a foreign culture, without specification of "parasites," a word that refers to fleas on a dog, or a symbiotic or sycophantic relationship. Used in a meaningful way, the word would be less rudely insulting, more genuinely descriptive, and much better understood. Thank you.

Uchendu Eugene Chigbu ,

I appreciate your reply, which responds to the Question in the spirit to which it was intended to be directed. Yes, it will be interesting to see what will happen. Thank you.

Chinaza Godswill Awuchi ,

Thank you for your well thought-out replies, which I find very enlightening. Best regards.

Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Pursue Hollywood Deals After ‘Step Back’ From Royal Duties???

https://www.thewrap.com/meghan-markle-prince-harry-hollywood-deals-after-royal-duties/

I hope they don't change their minds later to return to royal duties

D A Gayan Nayanajith ,

Thank you for your link!

Chinaza Godswill Awuchi ,

I agree with you; they have made a good decision!

Dear Prof. Ann,

You are welcome... Many thanks for initiating the discussion...

Dear George Stoica

Much has happened in the royal family in a short amount of time: on one hand, Philip has passed on at the ripe old age of ninety-five, and on the other hand, Harry and Meghan are welcoming news of their second and third additions to their family and evidently already know from ultra-sound photographs that they are expecting twin girls. It seems that they have decided to settle down as a typical bourgeois life-style American family in sunny California, where its gross gdp qualifies as a former colony. He has been hired to work at a high technology firm, while she is staying in the home with their little son while preparing for the new daughters. Meanwhile, Elizabeth II is holding the fort against allegations both near and far that Charles will never be king?

For anyone who is interested, the British Commonwealth of Nations is united in its efforts to combat the spread of the novel COVID-19-SARS-Co-V2 pandemic:

"COMMONWEALTH STATEMENT ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC We – the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth’s fifty-four equal and independent member states – are committed to working transparently and constructively within the Commonwealth family and with our international partners to address COVID-19 and its impacts; build resilience, particularly for developing economies and the most vulnerable countries; and ensure no one is left behind. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and unprecedented suffering faced by people in the Commonwealth and around the world. We are immensely proud of the way our citizens, businesses, public sector workers and civil society organisations have responded, and the unprecedented steps they are taking to protect our healthcare systems and each other. In particular, we express our gratitude and support to all frontline health specialists and essential workers who continue to strive to support our communities and help fight the pandemic.

Upholding our Fundamental Principles

As we respond to this unprecedented challenge, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our core values and principles as set out in the Commonwealth Charter, which we will continue to uphold as we deliver our collective response to COVID-19. This includes upholding the rule of law, consistency with relevant international treaties, and ensuring that measures taken are transparent and reasonable, and that they do not disproportionately impact the human rights and fundamental freedoms of any of our citizens. We will continue to fight against hate speech, targeting of vulnerable groups and all forms of discrimination, particularly those arising from the pandemic - whether rooted in age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, political, economic or other grounds. We will also take necessary measures to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation, online and offline, including manipulated media that incites violence and divides communities, while ensuring that any action respects human rights.

Contributing to the Global Health Response

We are committed to working with the spirit of global cooperation, unity and solidarity to protect the health of all our citizens, and do all we can to ensure equitable access to quality essential health services and safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines for all, particularly the most vulnerable and high-risk populations such as older persons, people with disabilities, and others who are more likely to have a pre-existing health condition. Each country will need to adopt and implement appropriate measures to reduce both COVID-19 transmission and the economic, social and environmental impacts, including on physical and mental health. Communicating, engaging and working with communities will be essential in delivering our collective response.

FINAL 2 of 5 We will continue to work in cooperation with our international partners to overcome the pandemic. This includes supporting the World Health Organization, whose leadership on global health issues within the broader international response is pivotal; and fulfilling the commitments contained in Resolution WHA73.1 “COVID-19 Response” adopted at the 73rd World Health Assembly, including to independent, impartial and comprehensive evaluation of the COVID-19 response. In this context, our approach should be consistent with the provisions of relevant international treaties including the provisions of the TRIPS agreement and the flexibilities as confirmed by the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. We will intensify our collective efforts and welcome the commitment of health ministers at their 32nd meeting to deliver a coordinated response. We will also work collaboratively to facilitate and support research and development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and innovative approaches such as the Access to COVID19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator; to share best practices; and to support timely, equitable, and affordable access to health products and health technologies, including potential vaccines, treatments, diagnostics and medical supplies for all who need them. We will support the continued flow of these vital medical supplies, commodities and equipment, agricultural and food products, and other essential goods and services across borders to further support our citizens’ health, and mitigate the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. We note the risk posed by COVID-19 to Commonwealth priorities, including Universal Health Coverage, and halving malaria in the Commonwealth by 2023. We will seek to balance our immediate response and our long-term commitments to health and wellbeing, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), nutrition, access to domestic and gender-based violence services, women’s and girls’ health, maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as providing other essential services such as water, sanitation and hygiene. We will also strengthen preparedness, detection and response capacities, in line with the WHO’s 2005 International Health Regulations, taking a One Health approach. This will achieve greater resilience and sustainability, reduce the risk of future shocks and accelerate progress on all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals through the Decade of Action. Safeguarding our Future Prosperity

We are deeply concerned by the wide-ranging economic, social and environmental implications of COVID-19, particularly the difficulty for many countries of mounting an emergency response while maintaining adequate focus on delivering sustainable development. We will use all available policy tools to minimize the economic, social and environmental damage from the pandemic, maintain economic and financial stability, safeguard jobs and strengthen resilience. We welcome the G20 COVID-19 Action Plan on supporting the global economy, including the time-bound suspension of debt service payments by the poorest countries. We also support the rapid response of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to help their members tackle the crisis and encourage their policy flexibility. We recognise that broader sovereign debt vulnerabilities in some countries may be exacerbated by COVID19, and we encourage borrowers and creditors, including commercial lenders, as well as IFIs to continue to collaborate closely to ensure long-term sovereign debt sustainability and access to international finance markets. We will work with IFIs to

FINAL 3 of 5 support the provision of further and rapid support to where the needs and risks are greatest in collaboration with one another and other actors, including UN agencies; and to support a clean, sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery. We will collaborate with the IFIs to put in place post recovery plans to scale up financial resources, enhance policy space for domestic production, and to build resilience. The pandemic has increased the vulnerability of workers, especially migrant workers and those working in the informal economy. It has caused combined supply and demand shocks and shrinking labour markets, increasing risks of modern slavery in the world of work, and human trafficking. The Commonwealth's 1.2 billion young people are particularly likely to suffer economically. Protecting their opportunities for income and decent productive employment is essential. We must ensure that temporary shocks do not have long-lasting or permanent implications for poverty reduction and the ability of all workers to enjoy safe and decent work. We also recognise remittance flows are important sources of support for the well-being and survival of families and communities. We will work to minimise any substantial and sustained decrease in remittance flows while maintaining financial integrity. Women and girls and other marginalised groups, including those with disabilities, are more likely to suffer economically from COVID-19. Inclusion is central to economic stimulus, health services and social protection. Marginalised groups will be particularly impacted by school closures: we will continue to encourage implementation of specific actions to provide the opportunity for at least 12 years of quality education and learning for girls and boys by 2030. We are particularly concerned that children who are spending more time at home and online are increasingly vulnerable to violence, abuse and exploitation, and are at greater risk of online harms such as sexual exploitation and abuse. Protecting the safety of children and all vulnerable groups, must be prioritised. Women and girls’ leadership and contributions are essential to response and recovery efforts: we support their meaningful participation and leadership in the immediate response and longer-term recovery, including economic recovery. We will continue existing efforts to scale up lifesaving reporting, protection and support services for women and girls to mitigate the risk of a surge in gender-based and domestic violence. We will protect and strengthen initiatives which promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Addressing International Trade Disruptions As we lay the foundations for a strong economic recovery and the maintenance of global food security, we reaffirm our commitment to the multilateral trading system and a free, fair, inclusive, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, which takes into account the special requirements of least developed countries and small and vulnerable economies. All stakeholders in global supply chains should share the responsibility for working together constructively to keep them open and mitigate the pandemic’s impact on trade. Emergency trade measures designed to tackle COVID-19, if deemed necessary, should be consistent with WTO rules and must be targeted, proportionate, transparent, and temporary. We affirm that such measures will be implemented in the spirit of Commonwealth solidarity and in accordance with international principles, bearing in

FINAL 4 of 5 mind the evolving needs of our citizens as well as those of other countries for emergency supplies and humanitarian assistance. We pledge to lift any such measures as soon as possible. We emphasise the importance of transparency in the current environment and our commitment to notify the WTO of any trade related measures taken, all of which will enable global supply chains to continue to function in this crisis, while expediting the recovery that will follow. We recognise the need to support developing countries that highlight specific capacity constraints. Given the WTO’s critical importance to all our members, we reaffirm our commitment to work constructively together and with other WTO members on the necessary reform of the organisation with a sense of urgency. We recognise the importance of international trade and investment, sharing best practices and promoting economic cooperation and development for sustainable economic growth, in boosting employment and incomes in our countries, and helping them achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our officials working on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda will redouble efforts and identify ways to reduce barriers and promote the adoption of digital technologies as a positive enabler in order to increase resilient, inclusive and diverse trade and investment, and to strengthen global supply chains.

Protecting the Future of Small and Vulnerable States

The Commonwealth has always been a strong advocate for small and vulnerable states, including Small Island Developing States, and has consistently raised awareness of inherent challenges which many of them face – small economies, resourcechallenged, often heavily dependent on industries such as tourism and fishing; difficult access to supply chains for essential goods which cannot be produced locally; heavy indebtedness; constraints for some SIDS on access to concessional finance and ODA; and susceptibility to catastrophic climatic events. The impacts of the pandemic have highlighted and exacerbated these challenges, bringing acute economic setbacks which, with their other vulnerabilities, severely limit these states’ ability to respond effectively. As Commonwealth partners, we must make a concerted effort, consistent with national capability, to find solutions to overcome these challenges, including, where necessary, sustainable debt restructuring coordinated via the international financial architecture, mitigating the effects of economic contraction, increasing resilience and providing equitable access to essential medicines, equipment and supplies, having due regard for particular humanitarian needs. Global Cooperation and Multilateralism The scale of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the importance of multilateral cooperation in a rules-based international system. We reaffirm our shared responsibility to work with the United Nations, other international and regional organisations and IFIs in our response, and our unwavering commitment to realise the 2030 Agenda and the aspirations of the Commonwealth Charter.

FINAL 5 of 5 Whilst recognising the immediate challenge of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, we join with the UN Secretary General in simultaneously recognising the need to keep a clear focus on other global challenges such as the climate crisis; decline in ocean health; transboundary pests and diseases; biodiversity loss; and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. We must build back better. Our response must support the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, so that we can achieve our climate and biodiversity goals, and sustain inclusive, climate-resilient economic development. We remain committed to urgently increasing climate action and ambition in line with the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement and their principles, including common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances. Consistent with the best available science, we are committed to building resilience and adaptation, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through credible climate plans in the form of nationally determined contributions, with a view to enhancing their level of ambition, and to increased ambition on finance. We look forward to contributing to the success of COP26. In making these commitments, we recognise that the strength and potential of the Commonwealth lie in collaboration between its member states, its intergovernmental organisations – the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth of Learning; and its network of associated and accredited organisations. As we strive to maximise that potential in the face of the immediate challenge, we look forward to deepening our collaboration at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and associated Commonwealth fora in Rwanda."

9 May MMXXI

My dearest Nancy Ann, it is sometimes positive--especially in these trying times--to live in a fantasy world pertaining to others.

Cordially...

ASJ

Dear George Stoica

Evidently, Harry and Meghan are doing their part to mitigate the heavy financial toll being levied against Britain by the novel Covid-19 pandemic. This excerpt from the "Commonwealth Statement on the Covid-19 Pandemic" suggests how strongly they identify with the plight of the common people and moreover that they do not want to be viewed as "royals" who can rest on their laurels:

"We will collaborate with the IFIs to put in place post recovery plans to scale up financial resources, enhance policy space for domestic production, and to build resilience. The pandemic has increased the vulnerability of workers, especially migrant workers and those working in the informal economy. It has caused combined supply and demand shocks and shrinking labour markets, increasing risks of modern slavery in the world of work, and human trafficking. The Commonwealth's 1.2 billion young people are particularly likely to suffer economically. Protecting their opportunities for income and decent productive employment is essential. We must ensure that temporary shocks do not have long-lasting or permanent implications for poverty reduction and the ability of all workers to enjoy safe and decent work. We also recognise remittance flows are important sources of support for the well-being and survival of families and communities. We will work to minimise any substantial and sustained decrease in remittance flows while maintaining financial integrity. Women and girls and other marginalised groups, including those with disabilities, are more likely to suffer economically from COVID-19. "

Dear Nancy Ann Watanabe

Evidently, the Sussexes have laid out explanations of the source of their current income, which primarily consists of the Sovereign Grant & provisions from the Duchy of Cornwall. The Sovereign Grant is derived from revenue of the Crown Estate; a portion of these public funds are issued as a grant to cover the royal family’s work in support of the Queen, helping pay for things like maintenance of official residences and offices.

Ca Dr. Gaurav Bhambri ,

Duke of Sussex Harry (not a prince like his older brother, William) is employed with a high technology company as an executive who holds the title of chief impact officer and he specializes in assuring quality control in matters of mental health which may involve some coaching activities. It sounds something like being a celebrity's handler. His starting salary is reported to be around $100,000 per year, which may exceed his inheritance from his mother, the Princess Diana. I think that Harry seems to be more interested in settling down, making a good living, and living comfortably, essentially free from the glitz and glimmer of being a royal and also from the depressing memories surrounding Princess Diana's unhappy married life and tragic death in an automobile crash under negative circumstances. It seems that royalty leads a very restricted life. For instance, Philip always regretted that his naval career was cut short when his father-in-law, King George VI, suddenly died prematurely at age 56 of a coronary (heart attack).

Queen Elizabeth looks like she misses him terribly; nevertheless, I hope that she has a happy mother's day, even though I do not think that any nation outside of the United States of America celebrates Mother's Day as a national holiday.

Aha! Yet another reason for Harry choosing to take up residence in America. I read somewhere that Harry worshipped his mother. But the English, or even the Brits for that matter, do not celebrate Mother's Day, as we do in America.

Dear Nancy Ann Watanabe Yeah, you are also right.

Actually, Mother's Day is celebrated in forty different countries, although not all of them designate the second Sunday in the month of May. Sometimes, they do refer to "Women's Day," instead of "Mother's Day."

"Mother's Day around the world":

"In most countries Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, among them the USA, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa."

SOURCE LINK:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Where+is+Mother%27s+Day+celebrated%3F&rlz=1C1EJFA_enUS768US768&sxsrf=ALeKk01AMOwwt560IFJ6qkVkCib8EhcKMA%3A1620543731407&ei=84iXYIeWGJP6-gTy_r-QDg&oq=Where+is+Mother%27s+Day+celebrated%3F&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEMkDMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoECC4QQzoECAAQQzoKCC4QxwEQrwEQQzoICAAQsQMQgwE6DgguELEDEIMBEMcBEKMCOgUIABCRAjoHCAAQsQMQCjoECAAQCjoCChttps://www.google.com/search?q=Where+is+Mother%27s+Day+celebrated%3F&rlz=1C1EJFA_enUS768US768&sxsrf=ALeKk01AMOwwt560IFJ6qkVkCib8EhcKMA%3A1620543731407&ei=84iXYIeWGJP6-gTy_r-QDg&oq=Where+is+Mother%27s+Day+celebrated%3F&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEMkDMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoECC4QQzoECAAQQzoKCC4QxwEQrwEQQzoICAAQsQMQgwE6DgguELEDEIMBEMcBEKMCOgUIABCRAjoHCAAQsQMQCjoECAAQCjoCCC46BQgAELEDOgUIABDEAjoICAAQFhAKEB5KBQg4EgExULWQX1jkyV9g5sxfaAFwAHgAgAGzAogBxyGSAQgxLjMwLjIuMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXqwAQrAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz&ved=0ahUKEwjH28_rg7zwAhUTvZ4KHXL_D-IQ4dUDCA8&uact=5C46BQgAELEDOgUIABDEAjoICAAQFhAKEB5KBQg4EgExULWQX1jkyV9g5sxfaAFwAHgAgAGzAogBxyGSAQgxLjMwLjIuMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXqwAQrAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz&ved=0ahUKEwjH28_rg7zwAhUTvZ4KHXL_D-IQ4dUDCA8&uact=5

Check https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/amphtml/news/back-future-eric-stoltz-cast-auditions-biff-tannen-donald-trump-141932798.html