The royal figure gives up his designation as Duke of York.

Prince Andrew is surrendering his designations, including the Duke of York, he has announced in a individual message.

He has been under growing attention over his links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with requests for the monarchy to take measures against him.

That now seems to have caused the royal deciding to voluntarily return his designations and to surrender involvement of the Order of the Garter.

In his announcement he said he continued to "strongly deny the accusations against me".

"In discussion with the sovereign, and my close and extended family, we have concluded the persistent claims about me divert from the work of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a statement from him.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my relatives and nation first.

"I support my decision five years ago to step back from royal engagements.

"With the King's approval, we feel I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the distinctions which have been bestowed on me. As I have said previously, I firmly deny the claims against me."

The royal has encountered a range of controversies, among them a legal case he settled with an accuser, inquiries about his economic affairs and his connection with an alleged intelligence operative.

He will remain a member of royalty - but will cease to be the Duke of York, a designation bestowed from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He had already ended to be a "active member" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer appeared at official royal events. His status now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their children will continue to have the honor of princesses.

The royal has faced strong scrutiny over his links with convicted sex offender the financier, more in recent times featuring inquiries about when he had truly ended ties.

In his television appearance, the royal had said that he had severed all connections with the financier after they had been pictured together in the city in late 2010.

But messages sent in early 2011 later surfaced indicating that the prince had in private remained in touch with him, for example exchanging a note: "Remain connected and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing frustration in the monarchy at the issues that continued to surround the figure.

Next week a late publication by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is expected to bring more focus on the royal's association with Virginia Giuffre and Epstein.