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The royal is relinquishing his honors, such as the the Duke, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under increasing scrutiny over his associations with disgraced financier Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.

That now appears to have led to the prince deciding to voluntarily give up his honors and to relinquish participation of the Garter Order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "vigorously dispute the accusations against me".

"In talks with the monarch, and my close and extended family, we have concluded the persistent accusations about me divert from the work of the monarch and the royal household," said a message from Prince Andrew.

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

"I stand by my choice five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With His Majesty's consent, we feel I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer employ my honor or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said before, I firmly refute the accusations against me."

He has been involved in a number of issues, such as a lawsuit he resolved with an accuser, questions about his finances and his connection with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will stay a prince - but will discontinue to be the the Duke, a designation granted from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

Andrew had already ceased to be a "active member" and had given up the use of his royal style and no longer appeared at official royal events. His status now will be even more lessened.

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

He has been under intense examination over his associations with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more in recent times featuring inquiries about when he had truly severed ties.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had severed all ties with Epstein after they had been photographed together in the city in December 2010.

But emails sent in February 2011 later came to light suggesting that Andrew had in private remained in communication with Epstein, including sending a message: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been mounting displeasure in the royal household at the scandals that continued to plague the figure.

Soon a late publication by the accuser will be issued which is expected to draw further scrutiny on his association with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.