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The royal is giving up his titles, among them the the Duke, he has declared in a personal statement.

He has been under growing scrutiny over his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the royal household to take steps against him.

That now seems to have led to the figure deciding to of his own accord return his titles and to surrender membership of the Garter Order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "firmly dispute the allegations against me".

"In talks with the sovereign, and my close and wider family, we have agreed the ongoing accusations about me distract from the responsibilities of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a announcement from the royal.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and land first.

"I support my choice five years ago to step back from public life.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the awards which have been granted to me. As I have said before, I strongly refute the claims against me."

He has been involved in a series of issues, including a legal case he ended with an accuser, inquiries about his economic affairs and his connection with an accused intelligence operative.

He will remain a prince - but will stop to be the York's Duke, a honor received from his parent, the late Queen Elizabeth.

Andrew had already ended to be a "active member" and had forfeited the use of his HRH title and no longer participated at official royal events. His status now will be even more reduced.

His ex-wife will be known as Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their daughters will carry on to have the designation of princesses.

He has encountered severe scrutiny over his links with disgraced financier the financier, more in recent times involving inquiries about when he had actually ended ties.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had cut off all ties with the financier after they had been photographed together in NYC in December 2010.

But messages sent in the following year later came to light indicating that Andrew had privately remained in touch with him, including swapping a note: "Keep in close touch and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in the monarchy at the scandals that remained to surround the royal.

Next week a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to cast further focus on Prince Andrew's connection with Ms Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein.