Prince Frederik of Luxembourg Dies Due to Rare Genetic Disease
PRINCE FREDERIK OF LUXEMBOURG – The youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, passed away on March 1, 2025, in Paris, France. He was 22 years old and had been fighting POLG Mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic illness he was diagnosed with at the age of 14.
In a heartfelt message shared on the POLG Foundation website, Prince Robert expressed his and his wife’s deep sadness over their son’s passing. He shared that Frederik had spoken with his family on February 28 to say goodbye in his special way. True to his personality, he left them not only with kind and wise words but also with a final family joke, showing his lasting sense of humor and kindness even in his last moments.
POLG Mitochondrial disease is a genetic illness caused by changes in the POLG gene, which helps copy and repair mitochondrial DNA. When this gene does not work properly, the body struggles to produce energy, affecting important organs like the brain, muscles, nerves, and liver. Symptoms vary but can include weak muscles, delayed development, movement problems, seizures, and vision loss. There is no cure, and treatment focuses on easing symptoms through medicine and therapy.
Frederik’s journey with the disease was difficult, but his father said he faced it with courage and a positive attitude. Despite his condition, he was determined to help others and created the POLG Foundation to support those affected by the illness. His father described the disease as a struggle that Frederik carried throughout his young life.
One of the most touching moments in their final conversation was when Frederik, who had barely spoken for days, asked his father, “Papa, are you proud of me?” Prince Robert said the clarity of his son’s words was powerful, and he reassured him, as he had many times before, that he had made a real difference in his short but meaningful life.