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Prince Andrew is giving up his honors, including the York's Duke, he has declared in a own words.

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

That now appears to have led to the figure deciding to of his own accord give up his titles and to give up participation of the prestigious order.

In his announcement he said he continued to "vigorously dispute the claims against me".

"In consultation with the monarch, and my immediate and broader family, we have decided the persistent accusations about me divert from the duties of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a announcement from Prince Andrew.

"I have chosen, as I always have, to put my responsibility to my kin and country first.

"I uphold my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With the monarch's agreement, we think I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer employ my title or the honours which have been granted to me. As I have said before, I vigorously refute the allegations against me."

The royal has faced a range of scandals, including a court case he settled with an accuser, doubts about his money matters and his connection with an alleged Chinese spy.

He will stay a member of royalty - but will cease to be the York's Duke, a designation granted from his the late Queen, the former monarch.

Andrew had already stopped to be a "active member" and had forfeited the use of his royal style and no longer participated at official royal events. His role now will be even more lessened.

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

He has been under strong scrutiny over his connections with convicted sex offender Epstein, more lately involving doubts about when he had actually severed communication.

In his television appearance, he had said that he had cut off all ties with Epstein after they had been seen together in NYC in December 2010.

But correspondence sent in the following year later emerged indicating that the prince had in private continued in communication with the financier, for example exchanging a message: "Keep in close touch and we'll have further interactions soon!"

There had been growing frustration in the monarchy at the controversies that remained to surround the figure.

Soon a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre will be published which is expected to bring further focus on his connection with Ms Giuffre and Epstein.