As a part of the 'Hold Still' initiative, the Duchess of Cambridge invited people from across the UK to submit photographs they’ve captured during the pandemic. Over 31,000 people sent in their personal images, and 100 were featured in the campaign.
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Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020
The Duchess of Cambridge started this campaign, in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), to highlight pandemic stories and struggles in the UK.
In a video posted by the Kensington Palace, Middleton said:
I launched the project with the National Portrait Gallery back in May, because I wanted to find a way to allow everyone to share their stories and experiences in lockdown.
In October 2020, the final collection of photographs were showcased in a digital community exhibition. Portraits from the project were also plastered on billboards, walls and poster sites all over the country.
Coming soon!
On Saturday, the NPG announced the release of the photography book on Instagram, and gave us a small glimpse inside. The book will cover three central themes: Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness.
The introduction of the book, written by Kate Middleton, was also unveiled and she wrote:
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an image – your stories are the most crucial part of this project. I hope that the final 100 images showcase the experiences and emotions borne during this extraordinary moment in history, pay tribute to the awe-inspiring efforts of all who have worked to protect those around them, and provide a space for us to pause and reflect upon this unparalleled period.
The photo book will be available for sale online, and in local bookstores on 7 May, for £24.95. Half of the net proceeds will be donated to Mind, a mental health charity, while the other half will go to support the works of NPG.
