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He is surrendering his titles, such as the Duke of York, he has declared in a individual message.

He has been under growing attention over his connections with convicted criminal the financier, with demands for the Palace to take steps against him.

That now appears to have resulted in the prince deciding to voluntarily hand back his designations and to give up involvement of the Garter Order.

In his message he said he continued to "firmly deny the accusations against me".

"In consultation with the King, and my immediate and broader family, we have concluded the ongoing claims about me distract from the duties of the King and the Royal Family," said a statement from the royal.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my obligation to my kin and country first.

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

"With the monarch's approval, we believe I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously deny the allegations against me."

Prince Andrew has been involved in a number of controversies, including a lawsuit he settled with an accuser, doubts about his economic affairs and his connection with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will continue to be a prince - but will discontinue to be the the Duke, a designation bestowed from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He had already stopped to be a "active member" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at official royal events. His position now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer Duchess of York, but their daughters will continue to have the title of princesses.

He has faced intense examination over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, more lately including doubts about when he had truly cut off contact.

In his media discussion, the royal had said that he had cut off all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been seen together in the city in the end of 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later emerged implying that the prince had confidentially stayed in touch with him, including swapping a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing frustration in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that persisted to plague the prince.

In the coming days a posthumous memoir by Giuffre will be issued which is anticipated to cast more focus on Prince Andrew's connection with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.