Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, has passed away at the age of 22 from PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare and incurable genetic disorder.
His father confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement on The POLG Foundation website, revealing that Frederik died on March 1 in Paris.
A Life of Resilience and Advocacy
Despite his diagnosis, Prince Frederik dedicated much of his life to raising awareness and funding research for PolG disease. He founded The POLG Foundation, which has been instrumental in advancing research on potential treatments for the condition.
Prince Robert described his son as the family’s “superhero”, recalling how even in his final moments, Frederik kept his sense of humor.
“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,” his father wrote.
Living with PolG Mitochondrial Disease
Prince Frederik was born with PolG disease but was not diagnosed until age 14, when his symptoms became more pronounced.
PolG disease is a mitochondrial disorder caused by mutations in the POLG gene, affecting multiple organs, including the brain, nerves, muscles, and liver. The disease progressively limits mobility and bodily functions, and there is currently no cure.
Last year, Frederik opened up about his experience in The POLG Foundation’s documentary, describing how his world became “smaller and smaller” as his illness progressed.
“When you’re a kid, you have all these dreams, all these aspirations… I’m not sure I understood all the consequences of PolG when I first got diagnosed,” he reflected.
A Lasting Legacy
Prince Robert emphasized that Frederik’s strength, humor, and compassion left an indelible mark on those around him.
“Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and lead by example… His emotional intelligence, his compassion, his sense of justice and fairness knew no bounds,” he wrote.
Luxembourg remains the world’s only sovereign grand duchy, meaning it is ruled by a grand duke rather than a king or queen. Prince Frederik was part of this unique royal lineage, but his greatest legacy may be his advocacy for mitochondrial disease research.
The POLG Foundation continues to work toward a future where PolG disease can be treated or even cured, carrying forward the mission that Prince Frederik championed during his lifetime.