The Duchess of Cambridge launches Hold Still book as a 'lasting record' of COVID-19 experience

The Duchess of Cambridge has curated a book featuring 100 photographs illustrating the past year of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's the culmination of Kate's Hold Still photography project that she began during the height of COVID-19.

Hold Still: A Portrait Of Our Nation In 2020 features images of key frontline workers and people isolated from family and friends.

It features moments of incredible sadness but also moments of joy.

Kate says the book will serve as a "lasting record of what we were all experiencing".

The Hold Still project was spearheaded by the duchess and London's National Portrait Gallery (NPG) last year and invited people of all ages from across the UK to submit a photograph they had taken during the first lockdown.

A massive 31,000 images were submitted but just 100 portraits were selected for the project.

The final photos were first shown in a digital exhibition before being displayed across the UK in various communities.

The Duchess of Cambridge said: "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.

"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.

"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.".

Its publication follows the anniversary of the first national coronavirus lockdown on March 23 in the UK.

The book will be available from from May 7.

Proceeds from sales will help support mental health and arts projects around the UK.