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He is surrendering his honors, such as the York's Duke, he has announced in a own words.

He has been under growing scrutiny over his connections with convicted criminal Epstein, with demands for the Palace to take action against him.

That now appears to have caused the prince deciding to of his own accord hand back his titles and to relinquish participation of the Garter Order.

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

"In consultation with the monarch, and my direct and wider family, we have decided the persistent claims about me take away from the responsibilities of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a message from him.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my obligation to my relatives and land first.

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

"With His Majesty's approval, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the distinctions which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously dispute the claims against me."

He has encountered a number of scandals, such as a court case he resolved with an accuser, doubts about his finances and his involvement with an accused Chinese spy.

He will continue to be a royal - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a honor bestowed from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He had already ended to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer appeared at state occasions. His status now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer York's Duchess, but their children will persist to have the title of princess.

Prince Andrew has been under intense examination over his connections with disgraced financier the financier, more in recent times including inquiries about when he had truly ended contact.

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

But messages sent in early 2011 later surfaced implying that the prince had privately remained in contact with him, including swapping a note: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the monarchy at the scandals that remained to plague the figure.

Next week a book released after death by Giuffre will be issued which is anticipated to bring additional scrutiny on Prince Andrew's association with Virginia Giuffre and Epstein.