Prince Andrew relinquishes his designation as Duke of York.

He is surrendering his titles, among them the the Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under mounting pressure over his associations with sex offender the financier, with calls for the Palace to take steps against him.

That now seems to have led to the figure deciding to willingly return his designations and to surrender membership of the prestigious order.

In his statement he said he continued to "strongly refute the claims against me".

"In talks with the monarch, and my close and broader family, we have decided the persistent claims about me divert from the duties of His Majesty and the monarchy," said a announcement from him.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my kin and country first.

"I stand by my resolution five years ago to withdraw from royal engagements.

"With the monarch's agreement, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer use my designation or the awards which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I firmly deny the accusations against me."

The royal has been involved in a series of issues, among them a legal case he settled with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his money matters and his involvement with an alleged intelligence operative.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will cease to be the the Duke, a designation granted from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had forfeited the use of his royal style and no longer participated at official royal events. His position now will be even more reduced.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah and no longer the Duchess, but their offspring will persist to have the honor of royal princess.

Prince Andrew has been under strong scrutiny over his connections with disgraced financier the financier, more recently featuring doubts about when he had actually ended contact.

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

But emails sent in early 2011 later came to light indicating that he had in private remained in contact with the financier, including swapping a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the monarchy at the controversies that remained to plague the royal.

Soon a late publication by Giuffre will be released which is expected to cast further scrutiny on his association with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.