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Prince Andrew is relinquishing his designations, among them the the Duke, he has stated in a own words.

He has been under mounting scrutiny over his links with sex offender Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take steps against him.

That now looks to have led to the figure deciding to voluntarily hand back his designations and to give up participation of the Order of the Garter.

In his message he said he continued to "firmly dispute the accusations against me".

"In talks with the King, and my direct and extended family, we have agreed the continued accusations about me take away from the duties of His Majesty and the monarchy," said a message from him.

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

"I support my choice five years ago to withdraw from royal engagements.

"With the monarch's consent, we believe I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer employ my honor or the awards which have been bestowed on me. As I have said earlier, I firmly deny the accusations against me."

Prince Andrew has encountered a range of issues, such as a court case he resolved with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his money matters and his connection with an accused Chinese spy.

He will remain a prince - but will cease to be the Duke of York, a title received from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

The prince had already stopped to be a "active member" and had forfeited the use of his HRH title and no longer participated at public engagements. His status now will be even more diminished.

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

Prince Andrew has faced intense attention over his connections with disgraced financier the financier, more in recent times involving questions about when he had actually severed contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had cut off all links with the financier after they had been photographed together in NYC in late 2010.

But correspondence sent in February 2011 later emerged indicating that the prince had in private remained in touch with Epstein, such as sending a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been mounting frustration in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that continued to plague the prince.

Next week a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to draw additional attention on Prince Andrew's connection with Ms Giuffre and the financier.