Prince Andrew gives up his designation as the Duke.

The royal is surrendering his titles, among them the Duke of York, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under increasing attention over his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with requests for the royal household to take measures against him.

That now looks to have caused the prince deciding to of his own accord hand back his honors and to relinquish involvement of the prestigious order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "strongly deny the allegations against me".

"In consultation with the King, and my close and extended family, we have decided the persistent claims about me distract from the duties of the King and the monarchy," said a message from Prince Andrew.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my obligation to my relatives and nation first.

"I uphold my resolution five years ago to stand back from official duties.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we think I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said earlier, I firmly deny the claims against me."

The royal has faced a range of scandals, among them a legal case he settled with the plaintiff, inquiries about his economic affairs and his involvement with an accused Chinese spy.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will discontinue to be the the Duke, a title granted from his the late Queen, the Queen Elizabeth II.

The prince had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at state occasions. His status now will be even more reduced.

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

The royal has encountered intense scrutiny over his associations with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more in recent times including inquiries about when he had truly cut off ties.

In his television appearance, Prince Andrew had said that he had cut off all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in New York in late 2010.

But emails sent in February 2011 later emerged implying that he had in private remained in touch with him, including sending a message: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in Buckingham Palace at the controversies that persisted to surround the figure.

Soon a late publication by the accuser will be released which is anticipated to cast more attention on Prince Andrew's involvement with Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein.