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He is surrendering his designations, among them the Duke of York, he has stated in a individual message.

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

That now looks to have led to the prince deciding to voluntarily hand back his designations and to give up involvement of the prestigious order.

In his message he said he continued to "vigorously deny the claims against me".

"In talks with the monarch, and my immediate and broader family, we have decided the ongoing allegations about me divert from the work of the monarch and the royal household," said a message from the royal.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my obligation to my kin and country first.

"I support my resolution five years ago to withdraw from official duties.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we think I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer hold my designation or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said previously, I firmly refute the accusations against me."

The royal has been involved in a number of scandals, among them a legal case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, doubts about his money matters and his involvement with an alleged foreign agent.

He will remain a royal - but will discontinue to be the the Duke, a honor bestowed from his parent, the former monarch.

Andrew 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 official royal events. 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 continue to have the title of princesses.

He has been under intense attention over his connections with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, more lately including questions about when he had really cut off communication.

In his media discussion, Prince Andrew had said that he had ended all links with the financier after they had been photographed together in New York in late 2010.

But correspondence sent in the following year later came to light suggesting that Andrew had confidentially continued in communication with him, for example swapping a note: "Keep in close touch and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in the monarchy at the scandals that remained to surround the figure.

Soon a late publication by the accuser will be released which is likely to draw further scrutiny on the royal's connection with Ms Giuffre and the financier.