The Duke of York relinquishes his designation as Duke of York.
He is relinquishing his designations, including the York's Duke, he has stated in a own words.
He has been under growing pressure over his links with convicted criminal Epstein, with calls for the Palace to take action against him.
That now looks to have led to the royal deciding to voluntarily return his honors and to give up membership of the prestigious order.
In his announcement he said he continued to "strongly refute the claims against me".
"In discussion with the sovereign, and my close and broader family, we have concluded the ongoing accusations about me divert from the work of the monarch and the Royal Family," said a statement from Prince Andrew.
"I have decided, as I always have, to put my obligation to my family and nation first.
"I uphold my resolution five years ago to stand back from public life.
"With the King's agreement, we think I must now go a additional measure. I will therefore no longer hold my honor or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said earlier, I vigorously dispute the allegations against me."
Prince Andrew has encountered a range of issues, such as a legal case he resolved with Virginia Giuffre, inquiries about his finances and his association with an suspected foreign agent.
He will continue to be a royal - but will discontinue to be the Duke of York, a designation bestowed from his parent, the late Queen Elizabeth.
He had already ceased to be a "participating figure" and had lost the use of his royal style and no longer participated at official royal events. His position now will be even more diminished.
His ex-wife will be known as Ferguson and no longer York's Duchess, but their children will continue to have the designation of royal princess.
Prince Andrew has been under severe examination over his connections with convicted sex offender the financier, more recently involving questions about when he had really severed ties.
In his BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew had said that he had cut off all connections with Jeffrey Epstein after they had been seen together in the city in late 2010.
But correspondence sent in early 2011 later came to light implying that he had confidentially remained in contact with the financier, for example sending a communication: "Stay in contact and we'll play some more soon!"
There had been growing annoyance in the royal household at the scandals that persisted to envelop the prince.
Soon a posthumous memoir by Giuffre will be published which is anticipated to cast additional focus on his connection with the plaintiff and Epstein.
