Credit: @royalsofluxembourg/Instagram
Prince Frederik Has Died Aged 22
Prince Frederik, the youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, has died.
Luxembourg is the world’s only remaining sovereign grand duchy, with the Grand Duke serving as head of state and exercising sovereign power. Until his abdication last year, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Robert’s first cousin, held this position.
After hearing the devastating news of Prince Frederik’s passing, fans have taken to social media to pay tribute.
One user writes: “Heartfelt condolences. Such a special young man.”
“This is so sad. What a kind & courageous young man. Thinking of his lovely family & dear friends,” another person adds. “You may have passed, but the love & care you left behind, you will never be forgotten. Sending love & blessings.”
A third types: “I am so sorry for your loss of a precious soul, your young son. Remember him for his profound sensibilities at such a young age, and the love you shared.”
The news of the 22-year-old’s death was shared in a heartbreaking letter to the young prince’s charity page.
His father confirmed Prince Frederik had passed on March 1 in Paris, France.
The prince had been born with a rare genetic condition but was not diagnosed until the age of 14, when his symptoms became more noticeable.
Despite living with such a condition, Prince Frederik spent much of his life campaigning for treatments and cures for POLG Mitochondrial disease.
His foundation’s website described the disease as follows: “POLG disease is a genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure.”
“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,” Prince Robert of Luxembourg wrote.
“Last Friday, February 28th, on ‘Rare Disease Day,’ our beloved son called us into 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.”
His father recalls that, despite his poor health, he left his family with a final joke, which was said was in ‘true Frederik fashion.’
Prince Robert added that his son, who had barely been able to speak, asked him: “Papa, are you proud of me?”
“Frederik knows that he is my superhero, as he is to all of our family,” he penned. “And to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his POLG Foundation, to so very many people the world over.
“Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example.
“Frederik is the strongest person that we know! Frederik fought his disease valiantly until the very end. His indomitable lust for life propelled him through the hardest of physical and mental challenges. Our cheery Frederik saw the beauty in everything,” Prince Robert adds.
The family will continue the work at The POLG Foundation to honor the young man.
Prince Frederik is survived by his father Robert, mother Julie, brother Alexander, and sister Charlotte.
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