Kate Middleton urges Britons to take photographs in lockdown for Hold Still project
‘I hope that we can build a lasting illustration of just how our country pulled together during the pandemic,’ says Duchess
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Duchess of Cambridge has released a video message urging people to document their lockdown experiences via photography as part of the Hold Still project she has launched with the National Portrait Gallery.
On 7 May, the collaboration was announced as a way of creating 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”.
To date, more than 12,000 photos have been submitted to the project.
Kate has now released a new video statement urging more people to take part.
In the message, Her Royal Highness said: “There have been so many amazing entries to Hold Still over the last few weeks.
“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.”
The project is free to enter and open to all ages. The core themes are: “helpers and heroes”, “your new normal”, and “acts of kindness”.
One hundred shortlisted portraits will be selected to feature in an online gallery at the National Portrait Gallery “without walls” as a one of a kind digital experience.
“Each image will be assessed on the emotion and experience it conveys rather than its photographic quality or technical expertise,” Kensington Palace has said of the project.
The deadline to enter is Thursday 18 June.
You can submit a photograph to Hold Still online here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments