Kate leaves copy of lockdown photos book for others to find

The Duchess of Cambridge has played fairy godmother to readers across the capital and left her book featuring images from her landmark photographic project for them to find.

Kate celebrated the publication of Hold Still: A Portrait Of Our Nation In 2020 by leaving a copy at the Queen Victoria statue that overlooks the Broad Walk outside Kensington Palace Gardens.

As the country adapted to life under the first lockdown, the duchess launched her Hold Still project in May last year, and encouraged the public to pick up a camera or smartphone and capture the “spirit of the nation” during the pandemic.

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! pic.twitter.com/JpmgdOQYzk

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 7, 2021

Images of sleeping nurses, shielding elderly people and family scenes showing the reality of working from home were some of the images submitted, with 100 pictures chosen to go on display across the country and now featured in the book.

Kate joined the Hold Still judges and contributors of the final 100 images in leaving copies at places that gave them hope during the lockdown.

The initiative was supported by The Book Fairies, an organisation that encourages people to leave books they have enjoyed for others to find.

Each copy of Hold Still features a gold Book Fairy sticker and gold ribbon, and has a letter from the duchess tucked inside.