Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, son of Prince Robert and Princess Julie, passed away at 22 on March 1 after a valiant struggle with PolG mitochondrial disease.
His father announced the heartbreaking loss on the POLG Foundation website, a cause Frederik championed. Surrounded by family including siblings Alexander and Charlotte, he bid farewell with kindness, wisdom, and humor, leaving a final family joke to lift their spirits.
Prince Frederik, who was the youngest son of the Prince and Princess of Nassau, has died following a battle with an illness. 💔
All we know: https://t.co/MYiCRoTPHp pic.twitter.com/0kS8FUtdme
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 10, 2025A Life Defined by Courage, Not Disease
Born with PolG, a rare genetic disorder, Frederik wasn’t diagnosed until 14. The condition, which disrupts cellular energy and affects multiple organs, worsened over time. Prince Robert likened it to a failing battery—never recharging, always draining.
Luxembourg’s Prince Frederik died earlier this month at the age of 22 after battling a rare genetic condition. pic.twitter.com/bwwROIunZ1
— E! News (@enews) March 9, 2025Despite the lack of a cure, Frederik refused to let it define him. Instead, he shaped the POLG Foundation, designing its U.S. branding and launching the MITO clothing line with Donna Karan.
Frederik’s impact stretched beyond advocacy. He donated cell lines and mouse models to labs in Switzerland, the U.S., and Europe, fueling research for a PolG cure. His humor and compassion shone through even in his final moments, inspiring those around him. Luxembourg mourns a young prince whose legacy promises hope for future generations battling this cruel disease.
