🔗 Share this article

The royal is relinquishing his titles, such as the Duke of York, he has declared in a own words.

He has been under growing attention over his connections with sex offender Epstein, with demands for the Palace to take action against him.

That now appears to have resulted in the royal deciding to voluntarily give up his titles and to give up involvement of the Garter Order.

In his message he said he continued to "strongly deny the accusations against me".

"In talks with the King, and my direct and broader family, we have agreed the ongoing claims about me divert from the responsibilities of the King and the Royal Family," said a message from Prince Andrew.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my family and land first.

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

"With the King's consent, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said before, I strongly dispute the allegations against me."

The royal has encountered a number of issues, including a lawsuit he resolved with an accuser, doubts about his finances and his connection with an suspected intelligence operative.

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

He had already stopped to be a "working royal" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer was seen at official royal events. His position now will be even more diminished.

His ex-wife will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer Duchess of York, but their children will persist to have the honor of princesses.

He has encountered severe examination over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more lately featuring questions about when he had truly severed contact.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had severed all connections with Epstein after they had been photographed together in New York in the end of 2010.

But correspondence sent in early 2011 later emerged indicating that the prince had confidentially remained in touch with the financier, such as sending a note: "Remain connected and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the monarchy at the issues that persisted to plague the prince.

Soon a book released after death by the accuser will be released which is expected to draw further attention on his connection with the plaintiff and Epstein.