The royal figure relinquishes his designation as Duke of York.

The royal is surrendering his designations, such as the York's Duke, he has announced in a own words.

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

That now appears to have caused the royal deciding to willingly return his honors and to surrender participation of the prestigious order.

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

"In talks with the King, and my direct and wider family, we have agreed the ongoing allegations about me divert from the duties of His Majesty and the Royal Family," said a message from him.

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

"I uphold my resolution five years ago to stand back from official duties.

"With His Majesty's approval, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer hold my designation or the distinctions which have been conferred upon me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously dispute the accusations against me."

He has faced a series of scandals, among them a lawsuit he resolved with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his economic affairs and his connection with an suspected foreign agent.

He will remain a prince - but will stop to be the Duke of York, a designation granted from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

The prince had already stopped to be a "working royal" and had given up the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at official royal events. His role now will be even more lessened.

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

He has faced strong attention over his links with convicted sex offender the financier, more in recent times including doubts about when he had truly cut off contact.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had cut off all ties with Epstein after they had been photographed together in NYC in December 2010.

But messages sent in February 2011 later emerged implying that Andrew had confidentially remained in contact with him, including sending a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing annoyance in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that continued to surround the royal.

Next week a late publication by the accuser will be released which is anticipated to cast more scrutiny on his association with Virginia Giuffre and Epstein.