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Kate Middleton shares inspiring snaps laying bare life under coronavirus lockdown

The Duchess of Cambridge has praised the “amazing” quality of the entries to her photography project documenting life under lockdown.

With just one week left for submissions to the ‘Hold Still’ competition, Kate urged the public to send in their pictures to add to 12,000 already submitted.

The images are asked to represent the three core themes of the project – Helpers and Heroes; Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness.

The Duchess, 38, hopes the collection which will form part of a virtual exhibition with the National Portrait Gallery of which she is patron will symbolise the nation’s mood and feelings during the coronavirus crisis.

In a video message to encourage more entries, Kate said: “There have been so many amazing entries to Hold Still over the last few weeks.


Duchess of Cambridge is urging people across the UK to participate in the Hold Still photographic project
(Image: PA)

“From families up and down the country showing how they are adapting to life during lockdown, through to some of the most amazing NHS and social care staff who are putting their lives on the line to save the lives of others.

“But it isn’t too late to take part.

“So please take a moment to capture what life is like for you, because together I hope that we can build a lasting illustration of just how our country pulled together during the pandemic.”

Some of the submitted images include one titled Two Sleeping Colleagues Unmasked by Jane Roe – showing two exhausted nurses on the coronavirus front line, wearing intensive care branded uniforms, asleep on a sofa.


‘2 Sleeping Colleagues Unmasked’ by Jane Roe
(Image: PA)

‘Working from home’ by Roseangela Borgese
(Image: PA)

Another called Working From Home by Rosangela Borgese features a man with his back to the camera sitting at a computer while in the foreground a toddler lies sprawled on the ground surrounded by toys.

One image chosen by Kate to highlight the project is of a hospital worker decked out in full PPE holding a newborn baby, titled Life Goes On by Matthew Williams.

Another titled Glass Kisses by Steph James shows a young child looking at a grandparent through a window pane due to social distancing measures.

Launched by the Duchess in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery last month, Hold Still “aims to create a collective portrait of lockdown in the UK, capturing the spirit, mood, hopes, fears and feelings of the nation as we continue to deal with the coronavirus outbreak”.


‘Life Goes On’ by Matthew Williams
(Image: PA)

‘Biba Behind Glass’ by Simon Murphy
(Image: PA)

Anyone can submit their own photographs until 6pm on Thursday June 18 via the National Portrait Gallery website www.npg.org.uk/hold-still

Participants are encouraged to provide a short written statement to outline the experiences and emotions of those depicted in their photograph.

One hundred shortlisted portraits will then be selected to feature in a gallery without walls – a one of a kind digital exhibition open to all.

Each image will be assessed on the emotion and experience it conveys rather than its photographic quality or technical expertise.


‘We are the Future’ by Daisy Valencia
(Image: PA)

‘Band practise at a distance’ by Becky Wickes
(Image: PA)

A senior palace source said: “The Duchess has been inspired by many of the amazing feats accomplished by so many people that have brought Britain together.

“From incredible fundraiser Captain Tom to the daily bravery of our NHS workers.

“The overriding aim of the project is to bring together an unofficial national archive of the crisis, what has touched our everyday lives, the heroes behind the stories and images.

“The Duchess’s choices merely act as inspiration for the categories – anyone with a camera or a phone can enter and the aim is to get as many people involved as possible.

“The hope is it will create a unique photographic portrait of the people of our nation as we hold still for the good of others, and celebrate those who have continued so we can stay safe.”

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