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

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 of the entries to Hold Still is this photograph by Jane Roe, titled: “Two Sleeping Colleagues”. (Jane Roe/Kensington Palace)

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.