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The royal is relinquishing his honors, among them the York's Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under mounting scrutiny over his connections with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with demands for the royal household to take measures against him.

That now looks to have caused the prince deciding to voluntarily hand back his titles and to surrender involvement of the Order of the Garter.

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

"In discussion with the monarch, and my direct and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me divert from the responsibilities of the monarch and the royal household," said a announcement from Prince Andrew.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my obligation to my kin and land first.

"I support my choice five years ago to withdraw from royal engagements.

"With the monarch's approval, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my honor or the awards which have been bestowed on me. As I have said earlier, I firmly refute the claims against me."

He has faced a range of issues, among them a legal case he ended with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his money matters and his connection with an accused Chinese spy.

He will continue to be a prince - but will stop to be the York's Duke, a designation bestowed from his parent, the late Queen Elizabeth.

The prince had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his royal style and no longer was seen at public engagements. His status now will be even more lessened.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their offspring will carry on to have the designation of princess.

Prince Andrew has faced strong examination over his links with convicted sex offender the financier, more recently including inquiries about when he had actually ended contact.

In his media discussion, Prince Andrew had said that he had severed all links with the financier after they had been pictured together in NYC in December 2010.

But correspondence sent in February 2011 later emerged suggesting that the prince had confidentially stayed in communication with him, including exchanging a communication: "Remain connected and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing annoyance in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that remained to surround the prince.

In the coming days a late publication by the accuser will be published which is anticipated to cast further focus on his involvement with the plaintiff and Epstein.