The Duke of York gives up his title as the Duke.

Prince Andrew is relinquishing his titles, such as the York's Duke, he has stated in a personal statement.

He has been under mounting pressure over his connections with sex offender Epstein, with calls for the royal household to take action against him.

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

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

"In talks with the monarch, and my close and broader family, we have agreed the ongoing accusations about me distract from the responsibilities of His Majesty and the monarchy," said a announcement from him.

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

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

"With the King's agreement, we think I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer hold my designation or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

The royal has encountered a series of issues, including a court case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his money matters and his involvement with an accused foreign agent.

He will remain a member of royalty - but will cease to be the the Duke, a title granted from his mother, the former monarch.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer participated at public engagements. His status now will be even more diminished.

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

Prince Andrew has been under severe scrutiny over his connections with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, more in recent times including inquiries about when he had truly cut off communication.

In his television appearance, Prince Andrew had said that he had severed all connections with the financier after they had been seen together in the city in December 2010.

But messages sent in early 2011 later surfaced indicating that Andrew had in private stayed in touch with him, such as exchanging a note: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been increasing frustration in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that continued to surround the prince.

Soon a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to cast further focus on Prince Andrew's connection with Ms Giuffre and the financier.