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Prince Andrew is relinquishing his titles, such as the York's Duke, he has declared in a individual message.

He has been under growing scrutiny over his connections with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the royal household to take steps against him.

That now seems to have caused the figure deciding to voluntarily give up his designations and to surrender participation of the Garter Order.

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

"In discussion with the King, and my close and extended family, we have decided the continued accusations about me distract from the work of the King and the Royal Family," said a statement from the royal.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my obligation to my kin and land first.

"I support my resolution five years ago to step back from public life.

"With the King's approval, we believe I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the distinctions which have been bestowed on me. As I have said previously, I strongly dispute the accusations against me."

He has faced a range of issues, including a court case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his finances and his connection with an alleged foreign agent.

He will remain a prince - but will stop to be the the Duke, a title granted from his parent, the Queen Elizabeth II.

He had already ceased to be a "working royal" and had forfeited the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer participated at official royal events. His position now will be even more diminished.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah and no longer York's Duchess, but their children will carry on to have the designation of royal princess.

He has encountered severe examination over his associations with notorious figure the financier, more in recent times featuring inquiries about when he had actually cut off contact.

In his media discussion, the royal had said that he had severed all links with Epstein after they had been pictured together in New York in December 2010.

But emails sent in the following year later emerged indicating that he had confidentially continued in communication with the financier, for example swapping a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in the royal household at the controversies that persisted to envelop the prince.

Soon a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be issued which is expected to draw more focus on the royal's connection with Ms Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein.