Why Kate Middleton wants you to 'hold still'

Duchess Catherine has been messaging fans who have taken part in her Hold Still initiative. Photo / Getty Images

Kate Middleton has been messaging fans who have taken part in her Hold Still initiative.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been encouraging people to partake in stay-at-home photography whilst the coronavirus pandemic has left us unable to travel.

And now the mother-of-three has been posting sweet messages on photos taken as part of the initiative.

On one entry, Kate wrote: "Thank you so much for taking part in the Hold Still project. I get so much joy from being outside and gardening too. C"

Whilst another said: "My children will very much relate to this. Thank you for taking part and sharing your story! C."

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🌻 This #ChildrensHospiceWeek The Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of @eachhospices since 2012, joined families to plant a garden for The Nook, one of EACH’s purpose-built hospices. Using plants bought during her visit to Fakenham Garden Centre last week, The Duchess worked alongside an EACH volunteer gardener and a family to plant a garden that will provide enjoyment for children and families. Throughout the pandemic EACH has continued to deliver end of life and emergency crisis care as well as bereavement support. Marking the end of Children’s Hospice Week, The Duchess also met with staff from EACH’s care and facilities teams to thank them for the incredible work that they do. Organised by the UK charity Together for Short Lives, Children’s Hospice Week 2020 celebrates and raise vital funds for the UK’s 54 children’s hospices — visit @togetherforshortlives to find out more.

A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 27, 2020 at 2:00pm PDT

In a third, Kate wrote under the photo: "A perfect example of Hold Still ... the chance to re-engage and value the simple things around us. C"

Back in May, Kate revealed she was launching a photography project to "capture the spirit of the nation" during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said in a statement: "We've all been struck by some of the incredible images we've seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country. Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable. 'Hold Still' aims to capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation, what everyone is going through at this time. Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness - all those things that people are experiencing."

The project was open to "all ages and abilities" and people were asked to submit a photographic portrait, along with a short written submission, based on one of three themes; "Helpers and Heroes", "Your New Normal", and "Acts of Kindness".

The winning photographs will form a digital exhibition of 100 portraits which will then be staged and a selection of the photos will be shown across the UK later this year.