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The royal is surrendering his honors, including the York's Duke, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under mounting scrutiny over his links with convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for the royal household to take measures against him.

That now looks to have resulted in the royal deciding to of his own accord return his designations and to surrender involvement of the prestigious order.

In his message he said he continued to "firmly refute the claims against me".

"In talks with the sovereign, and my immediate and broader family, we have decided the ongoing accusations about me divert from the duties of His Majesty and the monarchy," said a statement from Prince Andrew.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and nation first.

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

"With His Majesty's approval, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said before, I vigorously deny the claims against me."

Prince Andrew has faced a number of scandals, such as a lawsuit he resolved with the plaintiff, inquiries about his money matters and his connection with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will stay a prince - but will stop to be the Duke of York, a title granted from his the late Queen, the Queen Elizabeth II.

He had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had forfeited the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at public engagements. His role now will be even more reduced.

His former spouse will be known as Ferguson and no longer Duchess of York, but their offspring will carry on to have the title of royal princess.

He has faced strong attention over his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more recently involving inquiries about when he had actually severed contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had cut off all ties with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in New York in December 2010.

But messages sent in the following year later came to light implying that he had privately continued in communication with the financier, for example sending a message: "Remain connected and we'll meet again soon!"

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

Soon a book released after death by Giuffre will be published which is expected to bring more scrutiny on Prince Andrew's connection with the plaintiff and the financier.