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The royal is surrendering his designations, among them the York's Duke, he has stated in a individual message.

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

That now looks to have led to the figure deciding to willingly return his titles and to surrender participation of the Order of the Garter.

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

"In discussion with the sovereign, and my close and extended family, we have decided the continued allegations about me take away from the work of the King and the royal household," said a message from Prince Andrew.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my obligation to my family and nation first.

"I support my choice five years ago to step back from official duties.

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

Prince Andrew has encountered a range of controversies, among them a legal case he ended with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his money matters and his association with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will stay a prince - but will cease to be the York's Duke, a title bestowed from his mother, the Queen Elizabeth II.

The prince had already stopped to be a "participating figure" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer participated at state occasions. His position now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah and no longer the Duchess, but their children will continue to have the designation of royal princess.

Prince Andrew has encountered intense examination over his connections with disgraced financier the financier, more recently featuring doubts about when he had actually severed communication.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had cut off all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been seen together in NYC in late 2010.

But emails sent in February 2011 later emerged suggesting that the prince had in private stayed in contact with Epstein, including exchanging a communication: "Keep in close touch and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in the royal household at the issues that remained to envelop the prince.

Soon a posthumous memoir by the accuser will be issued which is anticipated to cast more attention on Prince Andrew's connection with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.