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The royal is surrendering his titles, such as the Duke of York, he has announced in a personal statement.

He has been under growing scrutiny over his associations with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with demands for the monarchy to take action against him.

That now seems to have led to the prince deciding to willingly return his honors and to relinquish membership of the Order of the Garter.

In his message he said he continued to "strongly refute the claims against me".

"In discussion with the sovereign, and my immediate and extended family, we have decided the ongoing allegations about me take away from the responsibilities of His Majesty and the royal household," said a announcement from him.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my family and country first.

"I stand by my resolution five years ago to stand back from royal engagements.

"With His Majesty's approval, we believe I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my honor or the distinctions which have been conferred upon me. As I have said before, I vigorously refute the allegations against me."

The royal has encountered a series of controversies, such as a court case he resolved with the plaintiff, questions about his money matters and his connection with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will continue to be a royal - but will discontinue to be the York's Duke, a title granted from his mother, the former monarch.

The prince had already ended to be a "active member" and had forfeited the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer appeared at state occasions. His position now will be even more lessened.

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

He has encountered severe scrutiny over his associations with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more recently involving questions about when he had truly ended contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had cut off all links with Epstein after they had been seen together in New York in the end of 2010.

But emails sent in the following year later emerged implying that he had privately stayed in communication with the financier, including sending a communication: "Remain connected and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing frustration in the monarchy at the issues that persisted to plague the royal.

Next week a late publication by the accuser will be released which is anticipated to draw further focus on his connection with Virginia Giuffre and Epstein.