Kate Middleton has announced the upcoming release of the lockdown photobook project she has been working on during the pandemic. Hold Still will be out in May 2021 but it's already on the bestsellers' list at Amazon U.K.
In June 2020, the Duchess of Cambridge, with the help of the National Portrait Gallery, called on the British people todocument their life in lockdown with photos that may be submitted for a public exhibition. Kate said that she launched this initiative to "capture the portrait of the nation" and use photography to create lasting records of people's experiences amid a dreadful time.
Following an online exhibit that summer, Kate finally unveiled the photobook to encapsulate what this project was all about. Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020 will feature the best 100 portraits submitted by the public, alongside their interesting stories.
Hold Still had over 31,000 photo submissions, including entries from the Countess of Wessex, the wife of Prince Edward and Kate's in-laws. The Duchess of Sussex picked the best 100 entries with the help of expert photographers from the National Portrait Gallery. In October 2020, Kate Middleton facilitated the community exhibitions of the best photographs. Outdoor posters with the images of the winners were mounted in 80 towns and cities across the country. The photobook's proceeds will help raise funds for the community projects of the National Portrait Gallery. The rest of the profits will also provide for the projects of Mind, one of the mental health initiatives supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Meanwhile, People noted that Kate's latest photo announcing this photobook had a subtle nod to Princess Diana, her late mother-in-law. According to the news outlet, the duchess wore a blouse with a pie-crust collar, which Diana made famous and was her favorite style.
Royal fans also noted that Kate received much love and support from her family with this project. Her younger brother, James, left a subtle comment on the Kensington Royal Instagram account, which their followers found so "sweet and incredible."
The Middleton siblings have always had a close bond even as their eldest has become part of the royal family. Kate Middleton and Prince William always make sure to include her side of the family at royal events.
