**Duchess of Cambridge Marks Launch of Hold Still Book with Book Fairies Initiative**

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, made a public appearance outside Kensington Palace to commemorate the release of the Hold Still book.

Engaging in the Book Fairies initiative, Kate participated in the book launch event, which is set to hit the shelves today.

A video captured the Duchess placing a copy of the Hold Still book near a statue of Queen Victoria in London, inviting royal enthusiasts to discover and claim it as their own.

The book features a compilation of 100 photographs taken by the finalists of the Hold Still competition, along with a personal letter from the Duchess enclosed within its pages.

The Book Fairies project involves individuals worldwide concealing books for others to stumble upon, read, and pass on to someone else.

Kensington Palace disclosed that Kate was not the sole individual to discreetly place a copy of the newly unveiled book in plain view.

Sharing Kate’s video clip, the Royal Household declared, “Let the search commence.

We’ve teamed up with the Book Fairies for the day to distribute copies of Hold Still across the UK.”

Each book is distinguished by a golden Book Fairies sticker, adorned with a golden ribbon, and contains a heartfelt message from the Duchess.

Enhancing the significance of this endeavor, Book Fairies, the judges of Hold Still, and the top 100 image contributors are strategically depositing copies at locations that served as beacons of hope during the lockdown period.

This special publication showcasing the remarkable array of photographs is now available for purchase.

In the footage, Kate can be seen elegantly approaching the statue donning a striking red gown, where she carefully positions the book.

The proceeds from the book sales will be divided between the mental health charity Mind and one of Kate’s affiliations, the National Portrait Gallery.

This book launch coincides precisely with the first anniversary of Kate’s introduction of the Hold Still Photography Contest in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery.

The Duchess initiated this project to capture the essence of life in Britain amidst the initial nationwide lockdown.

From the multitude of submissions received, a distinguished panel of judges meticulously selected 100 finalists to feature in the book, with their images also showcased on billboards across the nation.

It was disclosed recently that Kate reached out to several finalists in the autumn of 2020.

A significant highlight from the Cambridge’s new YouTube channel is a heartwarming phone conversation between the Duchess and four-year-old Mila, who is the focal point of the poignant Shielding Mila photograph, one of the chosen 100 finalists.