Today the Duchess of Cambridge released the final 100 images selected for their #HoldStill2020 campaign. “Spearheaded by The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still is an ambitious community project which was launched in May 2020 to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during lockdown,” says The National Portrait Gallery, in partnership with the Duchess.
In an effort to capture the country’s tone during the coronavirus, people of all ages were invited to submit a picture taken between May and June of 2020. The photo theme could be one of the following – Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal or Acts of Kindness.
The campaign received over 31,000 submissions and a panel of judges selected 100 portraits that spoke to them. The panel included The Duchess of Cambridge, National Portrait Gallery Director Nicholas Cullinan, the author Lemn Sissay, Chief Nursing Officer for England Ruth May, and award-winning photographer Maryam Wahid. The 100 images chosen by the crew have been released today.
The Queen sent this message of congratulations to everyone that participated in the project.
Browse through the digital exhibit (in no particular order, they insist) to witness “highly personal records of this extraordinary period in our history.” You will also learn the stories behind the photos.
But first… watch this wonderful video from @KensingtonRoyal‘s Twitter page.
Kinsey Schofield is the Editor-in-Chief of To Di For Daily and you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.