The Queen Praises Entrants to Kate's Photography Project as the Exhibition Goes Live
Back in May, the Duchess of Cambridge announced she was launching a photography project alongside the UK’s National Portrait Gallery to capture a “portrait of the nation” during the coronavirus pandemic. And starting today, 100 selected images—chosen from more than 31,000 submissions—will be displayed in a special virtual exhibition.
The Queen has written a message to mark the exhibit's launch, telling entrants: “The Duchess of Cambridge and I were inspired to see how the photographs have captured the resilience of the British people at such a challenging time, whether that is through celebrating frontline workers, recognising community spirit or showing the efforts of individuals supporting those in need.”
Kate also shared some of the portraits that feature in the exhibition with the Queen.
“From virtual birthday parties, handmade rainbows and community clapping to brave NHS staff, resilient keyworkers and people dealing with illness, isolation and loss. The images convey humour and grief, creativity and kindness, tragedy and hope – expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences,” reads an introduction to the exhibition.
One photograph, entitled Be safe daddy x shows a girl cuddling her father before he headed off for a night shift as a paramedic. Another picture, Empty, features a boy sitting in a supermarket trolley against the backdrop of completely empty shelves. And a newborn baby meeting his mother for the first time through a mask and protective screen is entitled The first kiss.
Particularly moving photographs include Shielding Mila which shows a little girl seeing her father through window as she isolated from him due to having chemotherapy. Another image, Franck’s fight, shows 5-year-old Franck having his chemotherapy treatment at home during the lockdown.
An image of a protester called Akuac, taken during a Black Lives Matter protest at the U.S Embassy in London, is also included in the exhibit. “I hope that the new normal after COVID-19 is kindness, equality, compassion, love,” photographer Anastasia Orlando writes.
The photographs are focused on three themes: Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal, and Acts of Kindness. “Hold Still gives a snapshot of life during lockdown, documenting the nation’s experience of this extraordinary time,” Kate says in a short video which is part of the exhibition. The video also features a recording of one of the lines from the Queen’s historic address to the nation, “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take ride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.”
The Hold Still digital exhibition is available to view online at www.npg.org.uk/holdstill starting today.
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