Some may not know that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a talented photographer.

She is also a patron of London’s National Portrait Gallery, where she got to engage her passion to unveil a much-anticipated digital exhibition featuring 100 portraits of British life in the time of COVID-19.

The Hold Still community project was launched in May 2020 to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during the pandemic.

People of all ages, from all across the country, were invited to submitted a portrait taken during May and June under three themes: Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal, and Acts of Kindness.

The response was overwhelming. 31,598 entrants, ranging from 4 to 75 year-old, based everywhere from Belfast to Cornwall, submitted their best work to a panel of judges that included Princess Kate.

LOOK: Prince William Shares Kind Words with Grieving Boy: “It’s okay to miss her.”

Simran Janjua, London: This photograph shows my sister-in-law with her grandmother (Dadi in Punjabi) meeting after months of being apart. In this moment I felt the depth of love they feel for each other, captured by both the joy and longing in their eyes. Separated by a window but connected by love.

On the launch of the exhibition, the Duchess said, “We’ve all been struck by some of the incredible images we’ve seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country.”

Now, all 100 photos are available to explore on the gallery’s website to see a unique record of what the curators call an “extraordinary period in our history.”

Hassan Akkad, London: During the peak of the pandemic, I signed up to work as a cleaner in a Covid-19 ward at my local hospital, Whipps Cross. Within days, Gimba, our ward host, called me ‘my son’; I noticed she loved eating rice. Gimba migrated from Nigeria to Britain and has been working at the hospital for over a decade, commuting for 2 hours to get to work. I took this photo while Gimba was having lunch in the staff room, after having prepared meals for all eighteen COVID-19 patients in our ward.

The National Portrait Gallery noted in a statement the breadth of different photos submitted since the project was launched in May, “from virtual birthday parties, handmade rainbows and community clapping to brave NHS staff, resilient keyworkers and people dealing with illness, isolation and loss…

“The images convey humor and grief, creativity and kindness, tragedy and hope—expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences.”

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Below is a photo of a NHS health worker Jen, and her little girl, Florence. Jen worked through the pandemic, and Florence absolutely loves dressing up like her mum.

Matt Utton and Jennifer O’Sullivan, London: Jen has described this photo as being one of her most treasured items because it represents a lovely moment in what was a pretty tough time emotionally and mentally. It’s clear from this photo how much they love each other, and really are one team.

Humor, creativity, kindness, and hope: These images are a powerful reminder of the beauty of being human.

(WATCH the National Portrait Gallery’s Hold Still video below.)

SHARE This Inspiring Virtual Exhibition With Your Friends On Social Media… 

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