Lady In Red! Kate Middleton Looks Glamorous In Long Coat As She Arrives At The National Portrait Gallery — Photos
May 7 2021, Published 11:37 a.m. ET
Picture perfect! Kate Middleton arrived at the National Portrait Gallery in London on Friday, May 7, to mark the release of her new photography book, Hold Still.
The 39-year-old's book — which was made in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery — is about what life was like in the U.K. as the ongoing pandemic wreaked havoc on the world.
"When we look back at the COVID-19 pandemic in decades to come, we will think of the challenges we all faced – the loved ones we lost, the extended isolation from our families and friends and the strain placed on our key workers," an Instagram post explained about her latest endeavor. "But we will also remember the positives: the incredible acts of kindness, the helpers and heroes who emerged from all walks of life, and how together we adapted to a new normal."
It continued, "Through Hold Still, I wanted to use the power of photography to create a lasting record of what we were all experiencing – to capture individuals’ stories and document significant moments for families and communities as we lived through the pandemic. C."
Kate held a photography competition last year, where she asked the public to submit photographs taken during the first national lockdown.
When visiting the National Portrait Gallery, Kate got to meet some of her finalists whose pictures are featured.
Scroll through the photos below to see her outing!
During the brunette beauty's visit, she was photographed looking at the gallery's Archive.
That same day, the mom-of-three took to Instagram to reveal that she had hid several books around the U.K. for people to find!
"Let the search begin!" the caption begins. "We’ve joined @bookfairies_uk for the day to share copies of Hold Still around the UK with you. Each copy is adorned with a gold book fairy sticker, gold ribbon, and has a letter from The Duchess tucked inside. To make this activity even more special, book fairies, the Hold Still judges and participants of the final 100 images are leaving copies at places that gave them hope during the lockdown. This special book documenting the unique collection of photographs goes on sale today in UK bookshops and online. #hsbookfairies #HoldStill2020 #ibelieveinbookfairies."
So, what was in Kate's note? "The Hold Still book documents a photography project which captured a portrait of our nation as we lived through the first COVID-19 lockdown last year," the message began. "The images tell the stories of the challenges we all faced, but also how we came together in the most extraordinary of times."
"I am proud to have worked closely with the National Portrait Gallery on this project, and thrilled that the Book Fairies across the country are returning the images to the communities at the heart of Hold Still," she continued.
"Once you have finished looking through the book, please leave it somewhere else in your community for the next person to enjoy," she concluded.
On May 6, Kate and William's revamped Instagram account showed the former corresponding with cancer patient Mila, who was a finalist from the contest.
"I'm very grateful," Kate said while talking to Mila and her mother, Lynda. "And also for sharing such a personal time. You know, it'll be an image that is part of a national archive, and you know, it tells a story of this particular time and a very personal story too, so thank you so much for sharing it."
The day the book launched, it was already charting in the best-seller lists. Congrats, Kate!