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The royal is surrendering his designations, including the the Duke, he has announced in a own words.

He has been under increasing pressure over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.

That now seems to have resulted in the prince deciding to of his own accord hand back his designations and to relinquish involvement of the Garter Order.

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

"In talks with the monarch, and my direct and wider family, we have agreed the continued allegations about me divert from the duties of the King and the Royal Family," said a statement from the royal.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my obligation to my family and nation first.

"I support my decision five years ago to stand back from official duties.

"With the King's agreement, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the awards which have been granted to me. As I have said previously, I vigorously refute the claims against me."

Prince Andrew has faced a range of issues, among them a legal case he resolved with the plaintiff, questions about his finances and his association with an alleged intelligence operative.

He will remain a member of royalty - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a title bestowed from his mother, the former monarch.

The prince had already ended to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his HRH title and no longer was seen at official royal events. His role now will be even more lessened.

His ex-wife will be known as Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their daughters will continue to have the title of princesses.

The royal has encountered severe attention over his links with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, more recently involving questions about when he had really cut off communication.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had ended all ties with Epstein after they had been pictured together in the city in December 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later came to light implying that he had confidentially stayed in contact with Epstein, such as swapping a message: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the royal household at the issues that remained to plague the royal.

Next week a book released after death by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to draw further scrutiny on his involvement with the plaintiff and Epstein.