Prince Frederik of Luxembourg Passes Away at Age 22 After Battling Rare Genetic Condition
Luxembourg mourns the loss of Prince Frederik, son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, who tragically passed away on March 1st at the young age of 22. The heartbreaking news was shared by Prince Robert in a poignant statement published on the website of the POLG Foundation, an organization Prince Frederik himself established to champion research and treatment for the rare illness he battled throughout his life.
Prince Frederik was born with PolG mitochondrial disease, a devastating genetic condition that progressively impairs the body’s cells’ ability to produce energy. This debilitating disorder leads to dysfunction and failure in multiple organ systems, including the brain, nerves, liver, intestines, muscles, and even ocular function.
In his deeply moving statement, Prince Robert expressed the profound grief felt by his family. "It is with a very heavy heart that my wife and I would like to inform you of the passing of our son," he wrote, conveying the immense loss they are experiencing.
The day preceding his passing, on Rare Disease Day, Prince Frederik gathered his loved ones for a final farewell. Prince Robert shared the touching details of this moment, noting that Frederik spoke with his family, including his brother Alexander, sister Charlotte, cousins, and other extended family members. "After gifting each of us with our farewells – some kind, some wise, some instructive – in true Frederik fashion, he left us collectively with a final long-standing family joke. Even in his last moments, his humor, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh… to cheer us all up."
Prince Robert recounted a particularly poignant exchange with his son. Frederik, despite struggling to speak for several days, mustered the strength to ask, "Papa, are you proud of me?" His father described the clarity of these words as surprising and the weight of the moment as profound. "The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times, but at this time, he needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on," Prince Robert wrote, capturing the depth of his son’s spirit and the unwavering love between them.
Prince Robert emphasized the profound impact Frederik had on his life and the lives of countless others. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his POLG Foundation, to so very many people the world over. Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example."
Prince Frederik’s journey with PolG mitochondrial disease began long before his formal diagnosis at the age of 14. According to his father, the disease’s symptoms became more pronounced and its progression more acute as he grew older. Prince Robert explained the diagnostic challenges posed by PolG disease: "The disease causes such a wide range of symptoms and affects so many different organ systems, it is very difficult to diagnose and has no treatments much less a cure. POLG disease is a genetic mitochondrial disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ (brain, nerves, liver, intestines, muscles, swallowing and ocular function, etc.) dysfunction and failure. One might compare it to having a faulty battery that never fully recharges, is in a constant state of depletion and eventually loses power."
Despite the immense challenges he faced, Prince Frederik embraced the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others affected by PolG disease. Prince Robert stated that Frederik "jumped at the opportunity to create a foundation to find a cure." The POLG Foundation became a testament to his unwavering determination and desire to alleviate suffering. "Though he always made it very clear that he did not want this dreadful disease to define him, he nonetheless immediately identified with and helped define the mission of The POLG Foundation."
Frederik’s involvement with the POLG Foundation extended beyond mere advocacy. He actively participated in its development, contributing his creativity and passion to every aspect of its mission. According to his father’s statement, Frederik created the look for the charity in the United States and launched a MITO clothing line, encouraged by Donna Karan.
His commitment to finding a cure went even further. He "actively and literally gave of himself to develop multiple mouse models and cell lines in Switzerland, the United States, and Europe and to make these available to further facilitate research into POLG," his father wrote. This selfless contribution to scientific research underscores his dedication to advancing knowledge and finding effective treatments for PolG disease.
Prince Robert concluded his statement with a heartfelt expression of gratitude and a pledge to continue Frederik’s vital work. "On behalf of Frederik, Julie, Charlotte, Alexander, Mansour and the entire global POLG community, we thank you for helping this worthy cause that will honor our son. We will be resolutely focused on alleviating suffering for the POLG community and other diseases and conditions far beyond, associated with mitochondrial diseases."
The passing of Prince Frederik is a profound loss for the Luxembourg royal family and the global community of individuals and families affected by PolG mitochondrial disease. His legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to finding a cure will continue to inspire hope and drive progress in the fight against this devastating illness. His dedication to the POLG Foundation will undoubtedly serve as a beacon, guiding researchers and advocates towards a future where effective treatments and a cure are within reach. The world has lost a bright light, but his impact will endure through the lives he touched and the enduring work of the POLG Foundation.
