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The royal is relinquishing his titles, such as the York's Duke, he has announced in a personal statement.

He has been under increasing scrutiny over his connections with convicted criminal Epstein, with requests for the Palace to take steps against him.

That now appears to have led to the royal deciding to willingly return his honors and to surrender membership of the prestigious order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "firmly dispute the allegations against me".

"In talks with the King, and my direct and broader family, we have decided the ongoing allegations about me divert from the responsibilities of His Majesty and the royal household," said a announcement from the royal.

"I have chosen, 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 consent, we feel I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer hold my designation or the distinctions which have been bestowed on me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously deny the claims against me."

The royal has been involved in a number of controversies, among them a court case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his economic affairs and his involvement with an accused foreign agent.

He will stay a royal - but will cease to be the York's Duke, a designation received from his mother, the Queen Elizabeth II.

He had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer participated at state occasions. His role now will be even more reduced.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their offspring will carry on to have the title of princess.

Prince Andrew has faced strong scrutiny over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, more lately involving doubts about when he had really severed contact.

In his television appearance, he had said that he had cut off all ties with the financier after they had been seen together in the city in December 2010.

But correspondence sent in February 2011 later emerged suggesting that the prince had privately stayed in touch with him, for example sending a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in the monarchy at the scandals that continued to surround the royal.

Soon a late publication by the accuser will be published which is likely to bring further scrutiny on Prince Andrew's connection with Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein.