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The royal is relinquishing his titles, among them the the Duke, he has stated in a personal statement.

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

That now seems to have caused the prince deciding to of his own accord return his designations and to give up membership of the Garter Order.

In his statement he said he continued to "strongly deny the allegations against me".

"In discussion with the King, and my immediate and broader family, we have agreed the persistent accusations about me divert from the responsibilities of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a announcement from the royal.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my kin and nation first.

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

"With His Majesty's consent, we believe I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the awards which have been conferred upon me. As I have said before, I firmly deny the accusations against me."

The royal has faced a number of issues, such as a legal case he ended with the plaintiff, questions about his money matters and his association with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will continue to be a prince - but will stop to be the the Duke, a designation received from his mother, the former monarch.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his royal style and no longer participated at state occasions. His role now will be even more lessened.

His former spouse will be known as Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their daughters will persist to have the designation of princesses.

The royal has encountered intense attention over his links with convicted sex offender the financier, more recently involving doubts about when he had truly ended contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, he had said that he had cut off all ties with Epstein after they had been seen together in the city in late 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later came to light implying that he had confidentially continued in contact with the financier, such as swapping a communication: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in Buckingham Palace at the issues that continued to envelop the prince.

Next week a posthumous memoir by Giuffre will be released which is expected to bring more attention on the royal's connection with Ms Giuffre and Epstein.