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He is surrendering his honors, including the York's Duke, he has announced in a personal statement.

He has been under increasing scrutiny over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, with calls for the monarchy to take action against him.

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

In his announcement he said he continued to "vigorously dispute the accusations against me".

"In discussion with the sovereign, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the persistent allegations about me divert from the duties of the monarch and the royal household," said a statement from the royal.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my family and land first.

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

"With the King's consent, we think I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer hold my title or the awards which have been granted to me. As I have said before, I firmly refute the accusations against me."

The royal has been involved in a series of scandals, among them a lawsuit he settled with Virginia Giuffre, doubts about his money matters and his involvement with an alleged foreign agent.

He will continue to be a prince - but will stop to be the York's Duke, a designation granted from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

He had already stopped to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at state occasions. His status now will be even more diminished.

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

He has been under intense examination over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more in recent times involving inquiries about when he had truly severed communication.

In his television appearance, he had said that he had severed all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in the city in late 2010.

But emails sent in February 2011 later came to light implying that Andrew had privately continued in touch with him, including swapping a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in Buckingham Palace at the issues that continued to envelop the figure.

Soon a book released after death by the accuser will be issued which is expected to cast additional focus on his involvement with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.