Harry wants to go home. Can he return to the royal fold?

London: It has been a tumultuous few years for Prince Harry. There have been allegations of racism, neglect and fights over a dog bowl .

It has long been known that the Duke of Sussex wanted a refuge in the United Kingdom, a place that would enable him to bring his family over without having to go cap in hand to his father, King Charles, to ask whether there was room at the palace.

He wanted the freedom to enjoy British summers, see friends and come and go without the “circus” that has surrounded recent visits – as well as the endless questions about whether he will meet the King, where he might stay and his security.

But what is planned goes far beyond a mere bolthole for flying visits.

While nothing is set in stone, the decision to enrol his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in a British school suggests the plan is to stay for a long time.

Whether it will work remains to be seen. Harry and his wife, Meghan, are clearly hedging their bets by keeping their US base in Montecito , despite the vast expense, at least for now.

The development marks a significant shift in the Sussexes’ private and professional lives and will have a notable impact on their relationship with the wider royal institution.

The King was only informed of the news on Sunday, and it was not discussed with him during his reunion with the Sussexes at Highgrove last month .

He is said to be “naturally pleased” to be able to spend more time with his younger son and his family. However, he remains adamant that the move will not change the couple’s status as private individuals and non-working royals.

Until now, the major stumbling block to their coming back has been the family’s security.

The duke’s efforts to have his right to guaranteed taxpayer-funded police protection reinstated have been stymied at every turn , in the High Court, in the Court of Appeal and by the Home Office committee responsible for such decisions.

He has insisted it remains too dangerous to bring his wife and children back to the UK without it – a stance that threw the family’s recent travel plans into chaos, prompting Meghan to pull out of two public engagements and be spirited into the country privately with their children for that all-important reunion with the King .

It is ultimately up to the British state, through its royal and VIP executive committee, to decide who gets police protection.

So far, the committee has insisted that the duke and his family must give 30 days’ notice of UK visits so each can be assessed on its merits, a “bespoke” arrangement through which they have largely been denied protection. There is no detail on any new plan.