The royal figure surrenders his designation as York's Duke.

Prince Andrew is surrendering his honors, including the the Duke, he has announced in a individual message.

He has been under increasing pressure over his connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with demands for the Palace to take steps against him.

That now seems to have resulted in the figure deciding to voluntarily give up his titles and to surrender membership of the Garter Order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "firmly dispute the allegations against me".

"In consultation with the King, and my immediate and extended family, we have concluded the continued claims about me take away from the duties of the King and the Royal Family," said a statement from the royal.

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

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

"With the King's agreement, we think I must now go a further step. I will therefore no longer employ my designation or the distinctions which have been granted to me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously refute the accusations against me."

He has faced a range of scandals, among them a lawsuit he settled with Virginia Giuffre, doubts about his money matters and his association with an accused foreign agent.

He will remain a member of royalty - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a honor bestowed from his parent, the late Queen Elizabeth.

He had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had forfeited the use of his royal style and no longer participated at state occasions. His position now will be even more diminished.

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

He has been under severe examination over his links with disgraced financier Epstein, more in recent times featuring questions about when he had truly cut off ties.

In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had ended all ties with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been photographed together in the city in the end of 2010.

But emails sent in early 2011 later came to light indicating that he had confidentially remained in contact with him, including swapping a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing displeasure in the royal household at the controversies that remained to plague the prince.

Next week a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be published which is expected to bring additional scrutiny on the royal's connection with Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein.