🔗 Share this article

Prince Andrew is surrendering his titles, including the York's Duke, he has announced in a personal statement.

He has been under growing pressure over his links with convicted criminal the financier, with requests for the monarchy to take action against him.

That now looks to have resulted in the prince deciding to voluntarily hand back his designations and to relinquish involvement of the prestigious order.

In his statement he said he continued to "firmly deny the claims against me".

"In talks with the King, and my close and wider family, we have concluded the persistent accusations about me divert from the responsibilities of the King and the royal household," said a message from the royal.

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

"I stand by my decision five years ago to withdraw from public life.

"With the King's approval, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my honor or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said earlier, I strongly dispute the accusations against me."

Prince Andrew has faced a number of scandals, including a legal case he settled with an accuser, questions about his finances and his association with an suspected intelligence operative.

He will remain a prince - but will cease to be the York's Duke, a honor granted from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

He had already ended to be a "active member" and had lost the use of his HRH title and no longer participated at public engagements. His position now will be even more lessened.

His previous partner will be known as Sarah Ferguson and no longer Duchess of York, but their daughters will persist to have the honor of princesses.

Prince Andrew has faced intense attention over his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, more recently featuring questions about when he had actually severed contact.

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

But messages sent in February 2011 later emerged indicating that the prince had privately continued in communication with the financier, such as exchanging a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been mounting annoyance in the monarchy at the controversies that remained to surround the figure.

Next week a book released after death by Giuffre will be issued which is expected to bring more focus on Prince Andrew's connection with Virginia Giuffre and the financier.