The Duke of York relinquishes his designation as Duke of York.

Prince Andrew is surrendering his titles, including the York's Duke, he has announced in a personal statement.

He has been under mounting attention over his connections with sex offender the financier, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.

That now seems to have led to the figure deciding to voluntarily return his designations and to surrender participation of the Order of the Garter.

In his message he said he continued to "strongly refute the claims against me".

"In consultation with the monarch, and my immediate and broader family, we have decided the ongoing claims about me divert from the work of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a statement from him.

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

"I support my resolution five years ago to withdraw from royal engagements.

"With His Majesty's approval, we think I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the distinctions which have been conferred upon me. As I have said before, I strongly deny the allegations against me."

The royal has encountered a number of scandals, among them a court case he ended with an accuser, doubts about his economic affairs and his involvement with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will continue to be a prince - but will discontinue to be the York's Duke, a title granted from his the late Queen, the Queen Elizabeth II.

Andrew had already ceased to be a "working royal" and had lost the use of his royal style and no longer participated at public engagements. His position now will be even more lessened.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah and no longer York's Duchess, but their children will carry on to have the honor of royal princess.

He has encountered severe scrutiny over his links with notorious figure Epstein, more recently involving inquiries about when he had truly ended communication.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, the royal had said that he had severed 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 emerged indicating that the prince had confidentially stayed in contact with the financier, for example swapping a communication: "Remain connected and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been increasing annoyance in the monarchy at the issues that persisted to plague the royal.

In the coming days a book released after death by Virginia Giuffre will be issued which is likely to draw additional focus on the royal's connection with the plaintiff and the financier.