Kate Middleton Shares Touching Photos Showing Life in UK during COVID-19 Pandemic

Kate Middleton combined her love for photography with a community project called Hold Still, and the Duchess shared some of the powerful images she "handpicked" so far.

In collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, Kate Middleton launched the Hold Still initiative to capture the experiences of people in the UK amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

WHY KATE LAUNCHED THE PROJECT

As patron of the National Portrait Gallery, Kate is a keen amateur photographer herself, and she started the community project after striking images began telling stories of despair, fear, and hope people face during this challenging time.

During an interview broadcasted on "This Morning," on May 7, Kate elaborated on what she wants to accomplish through the initiative and said:

"To capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation. Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness, all things that people are experiencing.”

HOW IT WORKS

The project invites everyone in the UK to submit a picture along with a short written submission, whether an avid photographer or not. Themes focused on for submission, are Acts of Kindness, Helpers and Heroes, and Your New Normal.

Hold Still opened for admissions on May 7, and will run until June 18. After that, a hundred portraits will be chosen to feature in a digital exhibition while a selection of those will be shown around the UK later on in the year.

NETIZENS RESPOND TO THE PICTURES

The images Kate chose to share from the entries so far, struck an emotional chord with followers, as they commented:

KATE'S SUPPORT OF MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

The UK is also in the middle of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, and Kate reached out to the staff of Kingston Hospital just south of London, as it earned a special place in her heart while shadowing there last year.

While the duchess made inquiries into the staff's wellbeing, she also surprised a couple at the hospital, John and Rebecca, with a video call to congratulate them on welcoming their newborn to the world.

As the video call with the surprised new parents and the hospital staff came to a close, Kate made sure to express her appreciation for their continued dedication to the well being of their patients amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

CLAPPING SUPPORT

Kate Middleton and Prince William had been active in ways to bring citizens of the UK together and show their support to those who work on the frontlines during the pandemic.

Taking part in the Clap for Our Carers initiative, which started on March 26, the Cambridges joined countless Britons by clapping in salute to the efforts of workers and their tireless efforts in the battle against the disease.