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The royal is surrendering his designations, such as the the Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under increasing attention over his connections with sex offender Epstein, with requests for the Palace to take action against him.

That now looks to have led to the figure deciding to voluntarily return his designations and to relinquish involvement of the Garter Order.

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

"In consultation with the monarch, and my close and broader family, we have decided the persistent claims about me distract from the responsibilities of the King and the Royal Family," said a announcement from him.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my obligation to my relatives and nation first.

"I uphold my decision five years ago to withdraw from royal engagements.

"With the King's consent, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I strongly dispute the allegations against me."

The royal has been involved in a series of issues, among them a legal case he settled with an accuser, doubts about his money matters and his connection with an suspected foreign agent.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will cease to be the York's Duke, a title bestowed from his parent, the Queen Elizabeth II.

Andrew had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer participated at state occasions. His position now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their offspring will continue to have the title of princesses.

He has been under strong scrutiny over his links with convicted sex offender the financier, more recently involving questions about when he had actually ended contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had severed all links with Epstein after they had been seen together in NYC in December 2010.

But messages sent in early 2011 later surfaced implying that the prince had confidentially continued in contact with Epstein, for example exchanging a note: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing annoyance in Buckingham Palace at the issues that remained to envelop the prince.

Soon a book released after death by Giuffre will be published which is likely to bring further attention on his involvement with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.