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He is surrendering his titles, including the York's Duke, he has stated in a own words.

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

That now seems to have resulted in the figure deciding to of his own accord hand back his honors and to give up membership of the Order of the Garter.

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

"In consultation with the sovereign, and my close and wider family, we have concluded the continued allegations about me distract from the duties of the monarch and the monarchy," said a message from him.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my obligation to my relatives and country first.

"I support my resolution five years ago to withdraw from official duties.

"With the King's consent, we think I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the distinctions which have been granted to me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously refute the claims against me."

The royal has encountered a range of issues, including a legal case he settled with an accuser, inquiries about his economic affairs and his association with an alleged foreign agent.

He will remain a prince - but will discontinue to be the the Duke, a designation bestowed from his parent, the former monarch.

Andrew had already ceased to be a "working royal" and had given up the use of his royal style and no longer appeared at state occasions. His status now will be even more diminished.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their daughters will carry on to have the title of princess.

He has been under severe examination over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more lately involving inquiries about when he had really severed communication.

In his television appearance, he had said that he had cut off all ties with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in New York in the end of 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later surfaced implying that he had privately stayed in communication with him, for example sending a note: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting displeasure in the royal household at the scandals that persisted to envelop the figure.

In the coming days a book released after death by the accuser will be issued which is likely to draw further attention on the royal's involvement with Ms Giuffre and the financier.