THE Duchess of Cambridge phoned a photographer to praise her “amazing” picture of her grandparents holding hands as they battled Covid-19.

Kate Middleton called Hayley Evans to talk about the striking image capturing the moment the couple took each other by the hand in Worthing Hospital.

She selected the photograph, showing the hands of Ron and Pat Evans, for her exhibition and photography book documenting life during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the conversation, Hayley shared her memories of the couple, who were married for 71 years and died just five days apart.

Kate told Hayley: “The photograph is so amazing, and that’s what I think is so lovely, is actually hearing people’s stories, and the things that have really resonated for them.”

The photo was taken in May last year, shortly afterwards Pat died aged 91 and Ron died five days late at the age of 94.

The Argus: Forever Holding Hands by Hayley Evans from WorthingForever Holding Hands by Hayley Evans from Worthing

Hayley titled the image Forever Holding Hands and added a caption about her grandparent's love for one another.

During their phone call, Kate said: “I loved your sentence about saying how they appreciate the tiny things and took nothing for granted.

“And it was just the ability to touch each other and hold each other in those last few days.

The Argus: Ron and Pat WoodRon and Pat Wood

"I think things like that shouldn’t be taken for granted, particularly, you know, in the last few days of life.”

Ron and Pat were cared for in the same hospital room, with staff pushing their beds together so they wouldn't be apart.

Hayley made the duchess laugh when she reminisced about the couple’s good-natured bickering.

She said: “My nan, it made her absolute life being able to be next to him.

“She could just sit there holding his hand - ‘I love you Ron, love you Ron! Love you Ron! Come on Ron’ and he was like, ‘stop talking woman’.

“It was the best thing they could have done for them.”

Kate and Hayley spoke in autumn but the conversation has only just been released on Prince William and Kate's new YouTube channel.

Hayley's striking image was among 100 photographs chosen for the duchess' Hold Still exhibition and photography book.

In February, it was recreated by artists Stella and Gem Stevens, from Worthing, free of charge with all the money raised for the commission going to NHS Charities Together.