Prince Frederik, son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg, has died from a rare genetic disease, his father announced. He was 22.
Robert and his wife, Princess Julie of Nassau, announced Frederik’s death on the POLG Foundation website, a nonprofit, United States-based charity Frederik founded in 2022. Frederik was born with the disorder but was diagnosed at 14.
USA TODAY has reached out to the foundation and grand ducal family of Luxembourg for comment.
Frederik spoke to his family “one last time” on Feb. 28, sharing “some kind, some wise, (and) some instructive” farewells, as well as a “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,” Robert wrote.
The father of three said, despite not being able to speak for several days, Frederik asked him, “Papa, are you proud of me?” out of reassurance.
“The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times….” Robert continued. “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.”
The member of the Luxembourg royal family was the youngest son of Robert, who is 15th in line to the throne. Luxembourg is a Western European country that is part of the European Union.
Robert said his siblings – Princess Charlotte, 29, and Prince Alexandre, 27 – and anyone who met him has said, “Frederik is the strongest person that we know.”
“Charlotte reminds me that the sun has shone every day since Frederik’s passing, pouring into the room and warming the bed where he last lay,” Robert added. “On his phone, he kept many sage reminders to (him)self, one of which read, ‘Go outside when the sun is shining.’ We will strive to follow his instructions, especially now that everything feels a little colder and darker in his absence.”
What is POLG?
POLG Mitochondrial disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the POLG gene, which can affect multiple organs, mainly the brain, muscles, liver and nerves, according to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. There is no cure.
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