Kate Middleton appears on This Morning to tell people to take more pictures

The Duchess of Cambridge has launched a landmark photography project to capture the ‘spirit of the nation’ as it tackles coronavirus.

Kate Middleton is calling on the public to reflect the ‘resilience, bravery and kindness’ that people are demonstrating by taking portrait pictures of family, friends and colleagues living under lockdown.

The UK is now in its seventh week of social distancing measures that have left towns and cities deserted and much of working life on hold. But key workers including as doctors, nurses, carers and shopkeepers have still been heading out to keep essential services running while tributes are paid to health and care staff supporting tens of thousands of Covid-19 patients.

Kate’s initiative, called Hold Still, is being run with the National Portrait Gallery, which she supports as a patron. It aims to inspire those with any level of camera experience to take snapshots of the ‘new normal’ as Britain weathers this unprecedented period.

Explaining the project today on ITV’s This Morning, the duchess said: ‘I think we’ve all been struck by the most amazing images that have come out. We’re going through some desperately sad times and all those working on the frontline are really showcasing the hardship that they’re going through, some of the tragedy they are witnessing.’

In a previous statement Kate 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.

‘Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable.

‘Hold Still aims to capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation, what everyone is going through at this time. Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness – all those things that people are experiencing.’

The idea for the ambitious scheme was forged after Kate held discussions with Nicholas Cullinan, the National Portrait Gallery’s director.

The duchess, who is a keen amateur photographer herself, was struck by some dramatic photographs that have illustrated life under Covid-19.

One image that really stood out for was a snap of two self-isolating grandparents putting their hands up to glass doors to ‘touch’ the fingers of their grandchildren on the other side.

Another picture that struck a chord with the duchess was the image of a nurse showing the red marks and bruising on her face caused by wearing personal protective equipment during a 13-hour shift.

The project, which is free and open to all ages and abilities, has three core themes – Helpers And Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts Of Kindness.

Photographers will be encouraged to provide a short written description outlining the experiences of those in the pictures.

The duchess will help to curate 100 entries, which will be chosen for the emotion or experiences they express rather then their expertise.

Photos will go on virtual display before a selection are shown across the UK later in the year.

Speaking about Hold Still, Mr Cullinan, said: ‘Even if we are alone, we can all create something together.

‘We are honoured to partner with the Duchess of Cambridge on the Hold Still project, which will provide an inclusive perspective on, and an important historical record of, these unprecedented times, expressed through the faces of the nation.’

The project opens from today and runs until June 18. Photographers should submit their pictures through the National Portrait Gallery’s website.

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