Prince Frederick of Luxembourg has passed away.
Pablo Merchán Montes, Unsplash
Prince Frederik, son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg, grandson of Grand Duchess Charlotte and cousin of Grand Duke Henri, passed away at the age of 22.
Frederick has suffered from a rare mitochondrial disease called POLG since childhood, which causes the body to lose its ability to produce energy, leading to gradual organ failure. The disease was diagnosed when he was 14 years old, but at that time it had already progressed significantly.
Prince Frederick passed away on 1 March 2025 in Paris (Paris). The day before, on 28 February, International Rare Disease Day, he gathered his family to say goodbye.
In his last hours he was surrounded by his brother Alexander (Prince Alexander), sister Charlotte (Princess Charlotte), three cousins, brother-in-law, aunt and uncle. He said goodbye to each of them with words of kindness, wisdom and reflection. Frederick maintained his humour and fortitude until the very end, remembering to make a joke to give his loved ones one last smile.
Mitochondrial POLG is extremely difficult to diagnose because it manifests itself differently in different people and affects the brain, nerves, liver, muscles, vision and other organs. It acts like a faulty battery that cannot recharge and over time loses energy completely.
Frederick has dedicated his life to raising awareness of rare diseases. He founded the POLG Foundation to help other patients with the same diagnosis.
The prince's father, Prince Robert, wrote of his son, "Frederick is my superhero. He will remain so for our family, friends and now for everyone touched by his POLG Foundation."
"He fought to the very end with incredible strength. He saw beauty in everything," the family added.
Prince Robert, born at Fischbach Castle in 1968, and his wife Princess Julie raised three children, Charlotte (29), Alexandre (27) and Frederick, whose life was tragically cut short too soon.
