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Prince Andrew is giving up his titles, among them the York's Duke, he has stated in a individual message.

He has been under growing pressure over his links with convicted criminal Epstein, with demands for the Palace to take measures against him.

That now appears to have caused the royal deciding to willingly hand back his honors and to relinquish involvement of the prestigious order.

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

"In talks with the monarch, and my immediate and wider family, we have decided the ongoing claims about me distract from the work of the King and the royal household," said a announcement from him.

"I have opted, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my family and nation first.

"I support my resolution five years ago to withdraw from public life.

"With the monarch's consent, we believe I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the distinctions which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I strongly refute the accusations against me."

He has encountered a number of scandals, among them a lawsuit he resolved with the plaintiff, doubts about his economic affairs and his involvement with an accused Chinese spy.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will stop to be the Duke of York, a honor received from his the late Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth.

The prince had already ceased to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer was seen at official royal events. His role now will be even more diminished.

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

The royal has been under intense examination over his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more lately featuring inquiries about when he had really ended contact.

In his television appearance, the royal had said that he had cut off all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been seen together in the city in late 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later came to light indicating that Andrew had in private stayed in communication with him, for example swapping a message: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing annoyance in Buckingham Palace at the controversies that remained to envelop the figure.

Next week a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to bring further attention on his association with the plaintiff and the financier.