UPDATED: The Duchess Thanks Hold Still Photographers As Community Exhibition Draws to a Close

In a video message released to coincide with the end of the Hold Still community exhibition, the Duchess of Cambridge took the opportunity to thank everyone who submitted photographs for the project. The collaboration with Kate's patronage, the National Portrait Gallery, captured glimpses of the nation amidst the challenge of a generation. In normal times, such an exhibition would have been displayed in the gallery, with opening events and perhaps a gala evening. Due to the pandemic, it required quite a bit of imagination to bring it to communities and cities across the UK...and thus the community exhibition was born. The images have adorned billboards and sites for the past four months. In addition the digital exhibition has been viewed over 5.2 million times.

The Duchess said, "I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted an image to Hold Still. I launched the project with the National Portrait Gallery back in May because I wanted to find a way to allow everyone to share their stories and experiences of lockdown. We have been thrilled by the response to the project and I couldn’t be more grateful to each and every one of the 31,000 people who submitted an image. It was so hard to select the final 100 photographs but we hope we have created a collective portrait of our nation, reflecting on what others have experienced as well as our own journeys through this difficult time. It has been fantastic to see these portraits on billboards and outdoor poster sites across the country as part of our community exhibition, and I’m hugely grateful to all our partners for helping us take the images back to the people and communities who took them. For me, the most powerful part of the project is that it has shown just how much people and communities have come together and how important we all are to each other. Thank you so much for being part of Hold Still and for sharing your stories with the nation."

The Duchess of Cambridge marks the end of the UK-wide #HoldStill community exhibition with a video message thanking everybody who submitted a portrait to the project. © Kensington Palace https://t.co/w5zOYJmq07 #royal #DuchessofCambridge pic.twitter.com/Rx2ANGpccd

— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) November 15, 2020

The video shared footage of a virtual call Kate had with Johannah Churchill, whose portrait of Melanie was recreated as a mural in Manchester. The evocative and moving image was one of the finest snapshots of the battle frontline workers were thrust into during the spring.

We are proud to show you this incredible piece of artwork on display in Manchester. It is one of the final 100 images entitled ‘Melanie, March 2020’, and represents the #holdstill2020 community exhibition. pic.twitter.com/TI15hz5MlL

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) October 23, 2020

Kensington Palace revealed 'Melanie, March 2020' by Johannah Churchill, which captured Johannah’s colleague Melanie as she worked to set up a COVID clinic in London. Earlier this week, the Duchess spoke to Johannah and Dr Edward Cole -- who was also involved in setting up the clinic -- by video call. During the conversation, they discussed the important role the photograph has played in helping to represent the experiences of frontline workers across the nation as they continue to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.

Earlier this week, The Duchess was able to speak to Johannah Churchill, one of the finalists for #HoldStill2020, and whose portrait ‘Melanie, March 2020’ was recreated as a mural in Manchester as part of the community exhibition. pic.twitter.com/UpqH0k8cD8

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) November 15, 2020

Johannah also told the Duchess how the image has led her to receive messages from medical staff across the UK and around the world, and has allowed them to share their own experiences of working during these extraordinary times.

More from Elle magazine:

'In September, Her Majesty the Queen expressed her own support for all those submitting an image, writing in a statement, “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, recognizing community spirit or showing the efforts of individuals supporting those in need.”

Kate, who is an accomplished photographer herself, has shot many notable portraits of her children throughout the years, and the Cambridges have shared them with the public on birthdays and other family occasions. She's also encouraged her children to salute and support frontline workers in the Clap for Carers campaign and delivered homemade pasta to homebound elderly living near the couple's Anmer Hall home during the pandemic.'

 If you haven't seen it yet, click here to explore the community exhibiton.

Next, it's time for Kate's looks in the video message.

Readers will recognise the Duchess' blazer with gathered shoulders as a ZARA style she wore during the London 2012 games. Kate teamed it with a cream top.

Embed from Getty Images

Kate's necklace is Alex Monroe's Paleontology Nugget style (with thanks to Royal Wikipedia). The £285 charm necklace features "fossilised nuggets etched with botanicals, animals and Alex’s iconic bumblebee!"

We also saw the Duchess in a previously unseen blue cardigan by Boden (with many thanks to Kate from the WKW community). 

The Abercorn Scallop cardigan in frosted blue is described as: "A scalloped collar and sophisticated gathered sleeves give it a feminine finish. The semi-fitted shape is flattering and comfortable, while a simple crew neck makes it versatile and easy to layer."

At present it's available in sizes 2-22 for £75/$110 on Boden's website. Below, a closer look at the scallop detail. 

The piece also comes in 'conker'. It's available at Nordstrom.

I know I speak for all of us when I say I look forward to the day Hold Still and many other exhibitions can be enjoyed and reflected upon in the NPG. An outstanding effort by all involved. Well done to Kate, the NPG and every single person who took the time to submit an image.