Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have ignited a whirlwind of speculation with a raft of recent announcements. From the aftermath of their Oprah interview to a six-part Netflix series and a 416-page book, the Sussexes appeared to be retreating from the limelight, hinting at a newfound tranquillity. However, their respite was short-lived as they unveiled a strategic master plan to reshape their public image. Last week they launched a revamped version of their website adorned with Meghan's royal crest, a subtle nod to their ties with the monarchy. Plus, announcements of a new podcast deal and a 'casual' interview with Prince Harry on the Canadian slopes sent shockwaves through the media landscape. In this Sky News Digital Originals, we look at their ambitious rebranding efforts and explore whether this will pave the way for reconciliation, or are they destined for a perpetual struggle between tradition and autonomy?

Elements of Treasurer Chalmers' RBA overhaul informed by an independent review are facing pushback. Former treasurer Peter Costello, and former RBA governors Ian MacFarlane and Bernie Fraser canvassed concerns at a Senate hearing into RBA changes Thursday. A number of economists echoed the same concerns. The removal of the RBA governor's power to overrule bank decisions, as well as the instalment of a monetary policy committee within the RBA, has been brought into question. Experts fear Dr Chalmers' RBA overhaul could lead to too much government influence in the independent institution.

Connie Boglis was on her way to Athens when she received life-changing news about her former partner Jesse Bird – that the 32-year-old Afghanistan veteran had died by suicide at his home on June 27, 2017. Jesse struggled with PTSD after leaving the army in 2012 and spent many years trying to secure financial help and get the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognise the physical injuries he suffered during his military service. He died just weeks after being told his permanent impairment claim had been declined. Connie has worked tirelessly as an advocate for greater support for veterans and their families, in addition to her day job as a counsellor and mental health worker, and, on Australia Day, she received an order of Australia medal for her service in this space. She has worked with the Australian War Memorial to have a sculpture commissioned on the grounds to acknowledge the suffering caused, not only by war and military service but also the struggle to receive recognition back home. The sculpture called ‘For Every Drop Shed in Anguish’ was launched in Canberra yesterday morning. “There are a lot of emotions, but I think the one that I feel most today is peace,” Ms Boglis told Sky News Australia. “It’s been a long journey to get here today – a lot of roundtable discussions and a lot of uncomfortable conversations for our former government, having to have with us, the families that were deep in grief, very angry and, for me, I just wanted acknowledgement for Jesse. “The families and the loved ones carried that in the living, and they needed to be heard, and so it was a very important process for me to make sure that everybody after us in some way can feel that peace and acknowledgement.” If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Open Arms: 1800 011 046 The Defence Family Helpline: 1800 624 608 ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036

One of Australia's most powerful unions is demanding better entitlements for gig workers. The Transport Workers' Union are pushing for extra rights for temporary and freelance staff. The aim is to provide workers with conditions similar to those of full-time employees, such as superannuation and paid time off. The move is a part of upcoming negotiations at the Transport Workers’ Union. It follows the Australian Council of Trade Union’s successful passing of the ‘Closing Loopholes Bill’ earlier this month. The laws introduced provided new rights to casual and gig workers, offered more protection for transport workers, as well as gave workers the right to disconnect from work when not being paid.

South Australia is one step closer to becoming a renewable energy superpower as the money is now secured. BHP is among the businesses backing the state’s northern water project, which is estimated to pump over $5 billion into the local economy. “That would represent probably the most substantial piece of economic infrastructure investment in our state’s history,” South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said. “South Australia is home to 70 per cent of the nation’s copper. “We know that copper production and consumption around the world is set to grow substantially as we continue to decarbonise industry. “In order to be able to produce copper, you need a lot of water, which means if we want BHP and others to produce a lot more copper, we need to get them a lot of water.”

Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Barnaby Joyce has blasted the Labor Party for their “literally millions of dollars” in donations from the union movement and for “paying the piper” when they gain power. The Transport Workers Union says companies like Uber, DoorDash and Menulog will be targeted over the coming months as they look to establish new minimum standards on pay and job security. “This always happens when Labor are in power – they pay the piper,” Mr Joyce told Sky News Australia. “Have a look at the disclosures: there is literally millions of dollars that has arrived from the union movement to pay for the Labor Party. “It’s overwhelmingly a union-driven organisation.”

Two emergency level warnings are in place for bushfires burning out of control west of Melbourne. The additional second warning concerns the suburbs of Elmhurst, Glenshee, Mount Lonarch and Green Hill Creek. There is already an emergency level warning in place for Beaufort, Ben Nevis, Raglan, Eversley and Waterloo. Residents in these regions and surrounding suburbs are being urged to check VicEmergency social media updates for more information and to find out if their suburb is included. Wind gusts of between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour are expected which will continue to make firefighter’s efforts more difficult. Thursday’s strong winds are believed to have led to a lot of spotfires, making the containment and control of the spiralling bushfires increasingly difficult.

US President Joe Biden’s dog Commander bit Secret Service agents on at least 24 occasions. This is according to recently released documents. Released through freedom of information requests, the reports show the incidents took place between October 2022 and July 2023. The family pet left the White House in October. This followed a Secret Service agent receiving a severe bite that required medical attention.

Sky News US analyst Michael Ware believes Nikki Haley will “cop a flogging” in the Republican primary in South Carolina this weekend. Haley represented the state as governor for six years, from 2011 to 2017. “Nikki Haley, as a candidate for the Republican candidacy for president, has vowed to continue on to Super Tuesday on the 5th of March, where a whole host of states vote,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. “But, in her home state of South Carolina, where she was a celebrated governor, she’s going to cop a flogging. “Right now, President Trump is up by any measure of polls by at least 25 to 28 per cent, so I think it is certain that Nikki Haley will be defeated in her home state.”

US President Joe Biden has called Alexei Navalny a “man of incredibly courage” in the wake of his death and has blamed Putin for being “responsible for his death”. The 47-year-old died after taking a walk in the IK-3 prison complex, north of the Arctic Circle, last week, according to Russian authorities. “He was a man of incredible courage and it’s amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that,” Mr Biden said at a press conference on Thursday (local time). “We’re going to be announcing sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow. “The one thing that was made clear to me is Yulia [Navalny’s wife] is going to continue to fight.”

Thousands of residents in Western Victoria have been evacuated as fire bares down on communities. An emergency warning remains in place for those in Beaufort, Glenbrae, Mount Cole and Waterloo. Neighbouring communities such as Amphitheatre, Glenpatrick and Lexton were told to leave via a watch and act warning. More than one thousand firefighters are battling the out-of-control fire near Ballarat, after the region endured temperatures above 35 degrees yesterday. Authorities are hoping cooler temperatures today will allow crews to gain the upper-hand on the blaze. Rail services in the area have been suspended. Temporary relief centres have been established for residents.

Sky News host Caleb Bond says Sydney parking rangers not reaching “targets” means they get performance managed. Mr Bond said “they get called in” to explain why they didn’t reach their designated target. “Clearly this has become an important revenue raiser for the councils. “Not only to raise as much revenue as possible. “It’s to make it as difficult as possible to drive a car into the CBD, because they are anti-car.”

Sky News host Liz Storer says parking rangers in Sydney don’t have quotas, but they do have “targets”. Ms Storer said she wonders if a parking ranger hitting under their designated targets, would “keep their job”. “That’s how we could really put this to the test. “Few things make you angrier, when you return to your car, you’ve got a fine. “The state does not care.”

Google’s new chatbot Gemini has issued an apology after users discovered the AI was “not keen to generate images of white people,” says Sky News host James Macpherson. “When asked to do so, it flatly refused, saying people shouldn’t be classified according to skin colour,” Mr Macpherson said. “But when asked to produce images of black people … it quickly produced images of Obama and Oprah. “Well, of course, Google apologised for the bias which means they are sorry it was so obvious. “They promised to fix it which means they’ll make it so you don’t notice as easily.”

Sky News host Paul Murray says the seven car brands of the top 20 in Australia will start 2025 “already in trouble” regarding “Bowen’s big car ban”. Mr Murray’s comments come as the Albanese government look set to implement new vehicle emission standards across Australia. The Sky News host listed the brands which “are all going to be on the wrong side of the climate targets from day one”. “Meaning they will either have to buy credits of electric vehicle companies or they will have to start offering electric vehicles in the market. “These decisions are all made by people whose cars are paid for by us the taxpayer.”

Motorsports Racing Driver David Reynolds says he is “really looking forward” to the Bathurst 500 race this weekend. Mr Reynolds told Sky News host Paul Murray that all the racers involved are good enough for “anyone” to win. “It really comes down to the team. “It’s going to be hectic – it’s going to be hard work. “But it really comes down to the consistency of that driver or that team.”

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas says people smugglers will see weakness and exploit it as he called on the Albanese government for “strong and decisive action”. “These boats only arrive when a weakness has been sensed – there is no other reason for them suddenly arriving,” Mr Zempilas told Sky News host Sharri Markson. “It is a situation that needs strong and decisive action and a very clear message to be sent. “More and more of these smugglers will attempt to bring more and more refugees. “It can end in disaster and nobody wants that.”

Queensland Opposition leader David Crisafulli has promised “things are going to change” in the LNP wins at the next state election. Since the state Labor government took office, the number of people who have had their home broken into has increased by 60 per cent. The number of people who have had their car stolen in the same span of time is up 112 per cent. “Our community is going to get safe again on the back of stronger laws and more police,” Mr Crisafulli told Sky News host Sharri Markson. “The state government is the only level of government that can fix this. “It is youth crime laws that are fuelling this and we are determined to show Queenslanders that it doesn’t have to be like this.”

Former Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger took Anthony Albanese to task for walking away from his election promise of a $275 power bill reduction. “Before Albo made his promise, he knew full well this promise was an absolute dishonest lie,” Mr Kroger told Sky News host Paul Murray. “If you are in any doubt, have a look at that childish waffle he goes on today on Perberthy’s program. “Shame on you Albo for misleading the entire country into thinking that a cost of living crisis could be easily dealt with. “What Albanese did was win this election partly on that disgraceful con job.”

The British military is putting “diversity over national defence,” according to GB News host Patrick Christys. Mr Christys’ remarks come after The Sun revealed this week that a Trident missile dramatically misfired and crashed into the sea near the nuclear submarine from which it was launched from. This is the second misfire in a row, following the failed launch in 2016. “It is absolutely shocking – it’s the second failure in a row,” Mr Christys told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “We are now, genuinely, putting diversity over national defence. It’s absolutely remarkable. So, yes, I’m sure Putin is quaking in his boots.”