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Prince Andrew is relinquishing his honors, among them the Duke of York, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under growing pressure over his connections with disgraced financier Epstein, with requests for the Palace to take measures against him.

That now seems to have led to the prince deciding to of his own accord return his designations and to relinquish membership of the Order of the Garter.

In his statement he said he continued to "firmly refute the allegations against me".

"In talks with the King, and my close and broader family, we have decided the continued allegations about me distract from the responsibilities of the monarch and the royal household," said a statement from Prince Andrew.

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

"I support my choice five years ago to stand back from royal engagements.

"With the King's consent, we feel I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer employ my designation or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said earlier, I firmly refute the allegations against me."

Prince Andrew has been involved in a range of controversies, including a court case he resolved with Virginia Giuffre, doubts about his money matters and his connection with an accused Chinese spy.

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

The prince had already ended to be a "active member" and had forfeited the use of his HRH title and no longer appeared at official royal events. His role now will be even more reduced.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer the Duchess, but their children will persist to have the honor of royal princess.

The royal has faced strong scrutiny over his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more lately featuring inquiries about when he had truly severed contact.

In his media discussion, Prince Andrew had said that he had ended all ties with the financier after they had been photographed together in the city in December 2010.

But messages sent in the following year later came to light indicating that Andrew had confidentially remained in contact with him, including sending a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been increasing frustration in the monarchy at the issues that continued to surround the royal.

In the coming days a posthumous memoir by Giuffre will be released which is expected to cast further attention on the royal's association with the plaintiff and Jeffrey Epstein.