Kate Middleton - the Princess of Wales - has expressed her frustration over the relentless media and public focus on her fashion choices, revealing that it has become a source of personal irritation.

The royal, who married Prince William in 2011, has been a subject of constant scrutiny for her wardrobe, with the media often placing undue attention on what she wears rather than her public engagements.

According to a palace source speaking to The Times, Kate has been candid about her discomfort with the intense spotlight on her outfits. "There is an absolute feeling that it [the public work] is not about what the princess is wearing," the source said.

The source further emphasised that while her fashion sense is appreciated by many, it should not overshadow her role and responsibilities.

"There will always be an appreciation of what the princess is wearing from some of the public, and she gets that. But do we need to be officially always saying what she is wearing? No. The style is there, but it’s about the substance."

The Princess of Wales has reportedly found it "enormously difficult" to cope with the overwhelming attention on her clothes, particularly when it detracts from the important public work she is passionate about.

The source added, "She was going out and doing the work she was interested in, and it was hugely important to her, and people just talked about what she was wearing."

While Kate has maintained her position as a style icon, the growing frustration about being defined by her attire rather than her humanitarian efforts highlights a recurring issue faced by the royal family in navigating the public's intense fascination with their personal lives.