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The royal is surrendering his designations, such as the the Duke, he has declared in a personal statement.

He has been under growing attention over his links with disgraced financier Epstein, with calls for the royal household to take measures against him.

That now appears to have caused the royal deciding to of his own accord return his designations and to surrender involvement of the Garter Order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "vigorously refute the accusations against me".

"In discussion with the monarch, and my close and broader family, we have concluded the continued allegations about me take away from the work of the monarch and the monarchy," said a message from the royal.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my duty to my kin and country first.

"I stand by my choice five years ago to withdraw from public life.

"With the King's approval, we believe I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said before, I firmly dispute the accusations against me."

He has encountered a number of scandals, including a lawsuit he ended with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his finances and his involvement with an suspected foreign agent.

He will stay a prince - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a designation bestowed from his parent, the former monarch.

Andrew had already ended to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his royal style and no longer participated at official royal events. His position now will be even more diminished.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer York's Duchess, but their children will continue to have the designation of princesses.

He has been under strong examination over his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more lately featuring questions about when he had actually ended ties.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had ended all connections with Epstein after they had been seen together in New York in late 2010.

But messages sent in the following year later came to light suggesting that Andrew had privately remained in communication with the financier, such as exchanging a message: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in Buckingham Palace at the issues that persisted to envelop the prince.

In the coming days a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be issued which is anticipated to draw further attention on the royal's association with the plaintiff and the financier.