A KENDAL resident was delighted and honoured to receive a letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Local man Titus Gomes, and other participates of the National Portrait Gallery’s Hold Still Community project of Portraits, received the letter from the Queen to show her admiration for their work.

People across the country were invited to submit a portrait taken during May and June under one of three themes: Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal, and Acts of Kindness.

31,598 entrants, with ages ranging from 4 to 75 years old, submitted photographs.

The letter reads “It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity to look through a number of the portraits that made the final 100 images for the Hold Still photography project. The Duchess of Cambridge and I were inspired to see how the photographs have captured the resilience of the British people at such a challenging time, whether that is through celebrating frontline workers, recognising community spirit or showing the efforts of individuals supporting those in need. The Duchess of Cambridge and I send our best wishes and congratulations to all those who submitted a portrait to the project.”

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery said: “Even if we are alone, we can all create something together.

“We are honoured to partner with The Duchess of Cambridge on the Hold Still project, which will provide an inclusive perspective on, and an important historical record of, these unprecedented times, expressed through the faces of the nation.

“The National Portrait Gallery reflects the history of Britain through the personal stories of the people who have helped to shape it.

“We are now inviting each and every person, across every city, town, village and home in the UK, to share their portraits with us in this unique collective endeavour.”

“The judges assessed the images on the emotions and experiences they convey rather than on their photographic quality or technical expertise.

“Their aim was to select images which create a collective snapshot of the nation over the past few months and reflect resilience and bravery, humour and sadness, creativity and kindness, human tragedy and hope.”

The judges on the selection panel were The Duchess of Cambridge (Patron of the National Portrait Gallery), the director of the National Portrait Gallery Nicholas Cullinan (Director of the National Portrait Gallery), Ruth May (the Chief Nursing Officer for England), Lemn Sissay MBE (broadcaster), and Maryam Wahid (photographer).