Kate praised a nurse who took part in the Duchess of Cambridge’s photographic project documenting life under lockdown. The Duchess paid tribute to Johannah Churchill, who took a “hugely moving portrait” of a colleague. The photo ‘Melanie, March 2020’ was one of the finalists for Hold Still project and was recreated as a mural in Manchester as part of the community exhibition.
Speaking with Johannah, the Duchess became visibly emotional when speaking about the impact frontline workers had on the country this year.
She said: “It has become such an iconic portrait that represents a lot of what the frontline workers have experienced and what those of you across the UK have put the lives on the line looking after all of us this year.
“It certainly touched us in terms of the judging panel. We felt it was a hugely moving image.
“I think it has, like you say, it has really resonated with lots of the public too, so well done.”
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Ms Churchill’s picture shows her fellow nurse wearing personal protective equipment and helping to prepare a Covid-19 clinic for patients.
The photo was later recreated by artist Pete Barber on a wall in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Kate may have been thinking about her husband Prince William’s time with the air ambulance.
William has previously spoken about the “very traumatic” callouts involving children took him “over the edge” while he was working for the air ambulance.
She said: “We have been thrilled by the response to the project and I couldn’t be more grateful to each and every one of the 31,000 people who submitted an image.”
The 38-year-old royal launched the Hold Still project in May in order to capture the “spirit, the mood, the hopes, the fears and the feelings of the nation”.
The project was started in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, of which she is patron.
More than 31,000 people submitted entries to the project.
