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He is surrendering his designations, such as the York's Duke, he has stated in a personal statement.

He has been under growing scrutiny over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, with requests for the monarchy to take measures against him.

That now seems to have led to the figure deciding to of his own accord hand back his titles and to relinquish membership of the Garter Order.

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

"In talks with the sovereign, and my close and wider family, we have agreed the continued accusations about me divert from the work of the King and the royal household," said a message from him.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my kin and nation first.

"I uphold my choice five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With the King's approval, we believe I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my title or the awards which have been conferred upon me. As I have said earlier, I firmly dispute the accusations against me."

He has faced a range of issues, including a lawsuit he ended with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his money matters and his association with an suspected foreign agent.

He will continue to be a royal - but will stop to be the the Duke, a honor received from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had lost the use of his royal style and no longer was seen at public engagements. His position now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer York's Duchess, but their offspring will carry on to have the designation of royal princess.

He has faced intense scrutiny over his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more recently featuring questions about when he had truly severed contact.

In his media discussion, the royal had said that he had severed all links with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in NYC in December 2010.

But correspondence sent in early 2011 later surfaced suggesting that Andrew had confidentially remained in contact with him, such as swapping a note: "Remain connected and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the monarchy at the scandals that remained to envelop the royal.

Next week a book released after death by the accuser will be released which is expected to bring further focus on the royal's association with Virginia Giuffre and the financier.