The Duchess of Cambridge cut an elegant figure in a vibrant red coat from Eponine as she arrived at the National Portrait Gallery today to meet photographers featured in her Hold Still book as it topped the bestseller list on its first day today.  .

The Duchess looked stunning as she arrived at the gallery in central London earlier today, stepping out of the car in a bespoke vibrant red coat from Eponine, which is price on application only. .

Earlier this morning, the Duchess revealed the judges of the Hold Still competition, as well as the participants, had left '150 copies at places that gave us hope during lockdowns' in collaboration with the Book Fairies organisation.   .

Kate Middleton, 39, cut an elegant figure in a vibrant red coat from Eponine as she visited the National Portrait Gallery today as her photobook Hold Still was released !

Earlier this morning, the Duchess revealed the judges of the Hold Still competition, as well as the participants, had left 'copies at places that gave us hope during lockdowns' in collaboration with the Book Fairies organisation.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant as ever as she announced her new project in partnership with worldwide movement Book Fairies.

The Duchess appeared animated as she arrived at the gallery in central London today, cutting a striking figure in a vibrant red coat from London boutique Eponine. 

The Duchess went on to visit the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, to mark the publication of the Hold Still book

The Duchess of Cambridge was animated as she spoke about the publication of her Hold Still book durin a visit to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel earlier today 

Kate was animatedly as she chatted with staff members during the visit to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel earlier today 

The Duchess, who has been working on the Hold Still project for over a year, gestured widely as she launched the Hold Still book with a visit to the hospital today 

During the visit, Kate met with  Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, who has confirmed that the final 100 Hold Still images will become part of the Gallery’s national Collection. 

The Duchess of Cambridge views a photo of Captain Tom Moore alongside Curator Magda Keaney during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery in central London to mark the publication of the 'Hold Still' book

The mother-of-three could be seen chatting with curator Magda Keaney during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery in central London to mark the publication of the 'Hold Still' book

Later, she visited The Royal London Hospital to hear how art is commissioned by its award-winning Arts & Health service, Vital Arts, and displayed throughout its wards, waiting rooms and corridors to enhance the environment and, in turn, improve the patient and staff experience. 

She also heard more about how the National Portrait Gallery has collaborated with the hospital to bring workshops to young patients and their families through the Gallery’s Hospital Programme

The Duchess appeared animated as she arrived at the gallery in central London today, cutting a striking figure in a vibrant red coat from London boutique Eponine

The Duchess donned a medical face mask as she chatted with staff of the National Portrait Gallery during the appearance earlier today 

During the visit, Kate is set to meet Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, who has confirmed that the final 100 Hold Still images will become part of the Gallery’s national Collection

The Duchess, who has been working on her Hold Still project for over a year, appeared animated as she chatted with staff at the National Portrait Gallery today 

Duchess of Cambridge chats to staff at Royal London Hospital

The Duchess also viewed a framed portrait of Melanie, March 2020 by Johannah Churchill, which appears on the front cover of the Hold Still book. 

The portrait, which has been gifted to The Royal London by The Duchess and the National Portrait Gallery, will hang in the hospital’s main corridor as a reminder of the phenomenal efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic

Duchess of Cambridge chats to staff at Royal London Hospital

The Duchess of Cambridge donned a medical facemask as she visited the National Portrait Gallery earlier today to mark the release of her new book 

The Duchess smoothed down her facemask as she travelled to the National Portrait Gallery to launch the book today 

Kate's book, created in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, is available in UK bookshops and online from today, one year since the project was first launched.   

Earlier today, The Book Fairies shared photographs of the Duchess as she placed the book outside Kensington Palace, tweeting: 'We are delighted that The Duchess of Cambridge has not only harnessed the power of The Book Fairies today but became a book fairy herself to hide copies of Hold Still!'   

Another tweet from The Book Fairies, an organisation set up in 2017 which encourages people to share their books, revealed one of the Hold Still books had been wrapped in a green ribbon and hidden outside a hospital. 

Earlier today, the Duchess of Cambridge launched a royal treasure hunt as she left copies of her photography book hidden around the UK with a letter tucked inside

Another tweet from The Book Fairies revealed one of the Hold Still books had been wrapped in a green ribbon and hidden outside a hospital

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of The National Portrait Gallery said: 'The public response to Hold Still, which was spearheaded by our Patron, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been phenomenal

Net proceeds raised from the sale of the book (pictured) will be split between the mental health charity Mind and the National Portrait Gallery

Over the course of the project the Duchess shared a number of her favourite images on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, including one of a young girl seen drawing a huge rainbow onto a window pane, which made it into the book (pictured)

Duchess of Cambridge chats to staff at Royal London Hospital

'The proceeds raised from the book will help us to continue to care for and share our national Collection and to provide free access, inspiration and learning, through the work we do at the Gallery and our UK wide community and education projects

And to the National Portrait Gallery and The Duchess of Cambridge for choosing Mind as a joint beneficiary of proceeds from the sales of this book.'