Luxembourg’s Prince Frederick dies aged 22 after battle with rare genetic condition as family release moving statement
PRINCE Frederik of Luxembourg has died at the age of 22 after a long battle with a rare genetic condition.
His death was announced by his heartbroken father Prince Robert, the first cousin of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg who abdicated last year.
Frederik of Nassau died on March 1, an emotional statement on the POLG Foundation's official website penned by his parents said.
Prince Robert, 69, and his wife, Princess Julie of Nassau, detailed how their beloved son who was born with POLG Mitochondrial disease died surrounded by his loving family.
The statement read: "It is with a very heavy heart that my wife and I would like to inform you of the passing of our son, The POLG Foundation Founder and Creative Director, Frederik.
"Last Friday, February 28th, on 'Rare Disease Day', our beloved son called us in to his room to speak to him for one last time.
"Frederik found the strength and the courage to say goodbye to each of us in turn – his brother, Alexander, his sister, Charlotte, me, his three cousins, Charly, Louis, and Donall, his brother-in-law, Mansour, and finally, his Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mark.
"He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years."
"After gifting each of us with our farewells – some kind, some wise, some instructive – in true Frederik fashion, he left us collectively with a final long-standing family joke," Prince Robert added.
"Even in his last moments, his humour, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh… to cheer us all up."
Frederik was born with the condition but it was not diagnosed until he was 14-years-old after his symptoms became more noticeable.
POLG disease takes energy from the cells in the body and causes multiple organ failure.
After his diagnosis, the young royal became an advocate for people with the disorder, setting up the POLG Foundation to raise awareness and promote research.
In Frederik's final days, his father revealed that he had largely lost the ability to talk.
But, with his dying breaths, he was able to ask his father a final question before saying goodbye.
"Frederik’s last question to me, prior to his other remarks was: 'Papa, are you proud of me?'" Prince Robert said.
"He had barely been able to speak for several days, so the clarity of these words was as surprising as the weight of the moment was profound.
"He needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on."
Frederik's health had declined in recent weeks after he was hospitalised with pneumonia and had suffered another severe infection leaving him unable to move.
Prince Robert called his son "my Superhero" and praised his dedication to finding a cure for POLG and his ability to inspire those around him.
"Frederik is the strongest person that we know," the family would repeatedly say about the young royal.
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Despite his condition, he had a "lust for life" that helped him overcome the physical and mental challenges and surround himself with a wealth of friends.
Even during his final hours, Frederik was dedicated to doing a final lesson of Italian on Duolingo, his father fondly recalled.
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