Prince Andrew gives up his title as York's Duke.

He is relinquishing his designations, including the Duke of York, he has announced in a individual message.

He has been under increasing attention over his connections with convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein, with requests for the monarchy to take action against him.

That now seems to have led to the prince deciding to willingly give up his titles and to surrender involvement of the Order of the Garter.

In his announcement he said he continued to "strongly dispute the accusations against me".

"In discussion with the King, and my close and wider family, we have decided the continued accusations about me distract from the duties of the King and the Royal Family," said a message from Prince Andrew.

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

"I stand by my decision five years ago to step back from royal engagements.

"With the King's approval, we believe I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer employ my designation or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said earlier, I strongly dispute the accusations against me."

He has been involved in a number of controversies, such as a legal case he ended with Virginia Giuffre, questions about his finances and his association with an alleged foreign agent.

He will remain a member of royalty - but will stop to be the the Duke, a designation bestowed from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

He had already ceased to be a "working royal" and had lost the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at official royal events. His status now will be even more reduced.

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

The royal has encountered strong examination over his associations with notorious figure Epstein, more lately involving doubts about when he had actually severed communication.

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

But messages sent in early 2011 later emerged suggesting that Andrew had privately remained in contact with the financier, such as sending a note: "Keep in close touch and we'll meet again soon!"

There had been mounting frustration in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that persisted to plague the prince.

Soon a book released after death by the accuser will be published which is expected to bring further attention on the royal's connection with Ms Giuffre and Epstein.