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The royal is relinquishing his titles, including the York's Duke, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under increasing pressure over his links with convicted criminal Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.

That now seems to have caused the figure deciding to willingly hand back his honors and to surrender involvement of the Order of the Garter.

In his statement he said he continued to "firmly dispute the accusations against me".

"In talks with the monarch, and my close and broader family, we have concluded the ongoing allegations about me distract from the duties of His Majesty and the royal household," said a statement from Prince Andrew.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my family and nation first.

"I uphold my decision five years ago to step back from public life.

"With His Majesty's approval, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said previously, I firmly refute the accusations against me."

He has faced a range of controversies, such as a legal case he ended with the plaintiff, doubts about his finances and his involvement with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will continue to be a royal - but will cease to be the the Duke, a designation received from his mother, the Queen Elizabeth II.

He had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer was seen at state occasions. His role now will be even more reduced.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah and no longer York's Duchess, but their offspring will persist to have the honor of princess.

The royal has encountered strong scrutiny over his connections with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, more recently featuring questions about when he had truly severed contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, the royal had said that he had severed all connections with Epstein after they had been photographed together in the city in late 2010.

But messages sent in early 2011 later came to light indicating that Andrew had confidentially remained in communication with him, such as exchanging a note: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in the royal household at the controversies that continued to surround the prince.

Soon a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be issued which is anticipated to bring additional scrutiny on Prince Andrew's association with Ms Giuffre and the financier.