KATE Middleton has revealed she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the public’s response to her community photography competition Hold Still.
The Duchess of Cambridge announced that over 31,000 images were submitted as part of the nation-wide contest – and now the top 100 images have been selected by Kate and a panel of judges.
The mum-of-three set out to capture what the coronavirus lockdown looked for people all over the UK with the photography competition.
From an NHS worker pictured on a well-earned break to a little boy relieving himself in his mum’s garden, the final 100 photos will now go on display at the National Portrait Gallery – which is one of Kate’s patronages.
As she announced the final 100 images had been selected, Kate said: “I’ve been so overwhelmed by the public’s response to Hold Still, the quality of the images has been extraordinary, and the poignancy and the stories behind the images have been equally as moving as well.
“So I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has entered and taken part. And a big thank you to my fellow judges. I hugely appreciate the time and dedication that they have shown towards the project.”
Kensington Palace also released a screenshot of Kate appearing on a video call with her fellow judges Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Lemn Sissay MBE, writer and poet, Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England and photographer Maryam Wahid.
Giving fans a glimpse of her Norfolk home Amner Hall, the Duchess wore a green-and-white printed blouse and her hair in loose waves.
What’s more, this week Kate teased further details of the Hold Still competition as she shared a screenshot of her email to judges confirming that they’d decided on a shortlist.
The tweet read: “An email was sent yesterday…#HoldStill2020.”
Meanwhile, Kate wrote in the email: “Dear judges, I am thrilled we have chosen the final 100 portraits. I thought you might like to see the images all together so please find them attached.
“I couldn’t have done it without you so thank you so much for your help. C.”
Earlier this year, the Duchess said she’d been “struck” by the “incredible” images that had been submitted “which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people – some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic.”
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