The royal family of Luxembourg is saddened by the passing ofPrince Frederik, who passed away on March 1, 2025, in Paris, France. He was 22 years old and the youngest child of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau.
According to his family, the young prince passed away due to a rare genetic diseasecalled POLG Mitochondrial Disease. Before he passed away, he personally spoke to his family on February 28 to say goodbye. He left his loved ones with final words—some kind, some wise, some learned—and a long-standing family joke that reflected his sense of humor.
"Our hearts are heavy with the announcement of our son's passing," Prince Robert said via the POLG Foundation website. He added that even in his final moments, his son'scaring and positive outlook never waned. "Even in his final moments, he gave us one last laugh to cheer us up."
According to umdf.org, POLG Mitochondrial Disease is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the POLG gene, which plays an important role in the repair and replication of mitochondrial DNA. When it doesn't work properly, the body has difficulty producing energy, which affects various organs such as the brain, nerves, muscles, and liver. Common symptoms include muscle weakness, seizures, vision loss, and liver problems.
Prince Frederik has been battling the disease for a long time after being diagnosed at the age of 14. The diagnosis came as his condition worsened, according to his father. Although there is no cure for the disease, he has undergone therapies and treatments to ease his condition.
