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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 mounting pressure over his connections with convicted criminal Epstein, with demands for the royal household to take steps against him.

That now seems to have led to the prince deciding to willingly give up his titles and to give up participation of the Order of the Garter.

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

"In talks with the sovereign, and my direct and broader family, we have concluded the ongoing accusations about me divert from the work of the King and the monarchy," said a announcement from him.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my relatives and country first.

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

"With the King's agreement, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said earlier, I firmly dispute the allegations against me."

Prince Andrew has faced a number of controversies, including a lawsuit he ended with the plaintiff, doubts about his economic affairs and his involvement with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will remain a prince - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a designation granted from his mother, the Queen Elizabeth II.

He had already ended to be a "participating figure" and had forfeited the use of his royal style and no longer participated at state occasions. His position now will be even more diminished.

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

The royal has encountered severe attention over his connections with disgraced financier the financier, more lately featuring questions about when he had truly ended communication.

In his media discussion, the royal had said that he had cut off all connections with Epstein after they had been photographed together in NYC in late 2010.

But messages sent in February 2011 later came to light implying that Andrew had privately stayed in touch with the financier, such as exchanging a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been mounting displeasure in the monarchy at the controversies that persisted to plague the royal.

In the coming days a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be published which is likely to bring more attention on the royal's connection with Ms Giuffre and Epstein.