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Prince Andrew is giving up his titles, among them the York's Duke, he has stated in a personal statement.

He has been under mounting attention over his associations with sex offender Epstein, with demands for the royal household to take steps against him.

That now seems to have caused the figure deciding to willingly hand back his designations and to give up membership of the prestigious order.

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

"In consultation with the King, and my close and broader family, we have concluded the persistent accusations about me take away from the work of the King and the royal household," said a message from him.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my obligation to my kin and land first.

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

"With the monarch's approval, we think I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer use my designation or the honours which have been bestowed on me. As I have said before, I vigorously dispute the allegations against me."

He has been involved in a range of issues, including a court case he ended with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his money matters and his association with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will remain a prince - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a title granted from his mother, the Queen Elizabeth II.

The prince had already ceased to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his His Royal Highness designation and no longer was seen at state occasions. His status now will be even more diminished.

His former spouse will be known as Sarah and no longer York's Duchess, but their offspring will continue to have the title of royal princess.

The royal has encountered strong scrutiny over his associations with notorious figure Jeffrey Epstein, more lately featuring questions about when he had really cut off contact.

In his media discussion, he had said that he had ended all links with Epstein after they had been photographed together in the city in late 2010.

But messages sent in early 2011 later came to light implying that Andrew had privately continued in contact with the financier, such as sending a note: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"

There had been increasing displeasure in Buckingham Palace at the scandals that persisted to plague the prince.

Soon a book released after death by Virginia Giuffre will be released which is anticipated to draw more focus on Prince Andrew's connection with Ms Giuffre and the financier.