Kate Middleton has partnered with her patronage the UK’s National Portrait Gallery to launch a photography project during the coronavirus pandemic. And to promote the initiative, the Duchess of Cambridge did something she seldom does: a remote interview with ITV. The Duchess spoke about what inspired Hold Still, an upcoming exhibit in the UK where people there are welcomed to submit their photos documenting their lives during the COVID-19 outbreak. Kate also opened up about how she and her kids are doing in quarantine as she and Prince William homeschool them.
When asked how she was doing, the Duchess of Cambridge said, via Hello!, “Fine, thank you. It’s extraordinary. I’m sure you’re experiencing the same yourselves and your families and things. We’re stuck into homeschooling again. They’re unprecedented times really. But no we’re fine, thank you for asking.”
The Duchess said they’re using FaceTime to stay in touch with their other family members—something she and William discussed previously during their recent BBC interview. And when it comes to homeschool, 6-year-old Prince George would much prefer 5-year-old Princess Charlotte’s workload. “George gets very upset because he just wants to do all of Charlotte’s projects. Spider sandwiches are far cooler than literacy work!” Kate said.
Kensington Palace’s Instagram shared a clip of the interview, where Kate explained why she got involved with creating Hold Still. “We’ve all seen some incredible images out there and heard some amazing stories—some desperately sad stories but also some really uplifting ones as well,” she started. “I really hope that through a project like this, we might be able to showcase some of those stories and to document and share a moment in time, I suppose, that we’re all experiencing.”
The Kensington Palace Instagram shared more project details in its caption: “The Duchess and the @NationalPortraitGallery are inviting the people of the UK to submit a #HoldStill2020 photographic portrait, which you have taken during these extraordinary times. The project focuses on three core themes: Helpers and Heroes. Your New Normal. Acts of Kindness. One hundred shortlisted portraits will feature in a gallery without walls–a one of a kind digital exhibition open to all this August. Submit your images through the link in bio to enter and share your portraits on Instagram by tagging @KensingtonRoyal #HoldStill2020 to be in with a chance to be featured on our channel throughout the project.”
