The royal figure surrenders his title as Duke of York.

Prince Andrew is giving up his honors, including the the Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under mounting attention over his links with convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the monarchy to take steps against him.

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

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

"In consultation with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have decided the continued allegations about me distract from the work of the monarch and the royal household," said a message from Prince Andrew.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my kin and nation first.

"I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we believe I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the allegations against me."

The royal has faced a number of scandals, among them a court case he resolved with an accuser, doubts about his money matters and his connection with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will remain a prince - but will cease to be the Duke of York, a designation bestowed from his parent, the late Queen Elizabeth.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer appeared at public engagements. His status now will be even more reduced.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer Duchess of York, but their daughters will persist to have the title of royal princess.

The royal has faced severe attention over his links with notorious figure Epstein, more recently including inquiries about when he had really severed ties.

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

But emails sent in February 2011 later came to light suggesting that he had privately stayed in touch with him, such as exchanging a communication: "Remain connected and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been increasing annoyance in Buckingham Palace at the issues that continued to envelop the prince.

Soon a book released after death by the accuser will be issued which is likely to draw additional attention on the royal's involvement with Ms Giuffre and the financier.