In brief
At just 22, Prince Frederik left an indelible mark on the awareness of mitochondrial diseases through his activism and personal journey.
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg has passed away at the young age of 22 due to a rare genetic disorder known as POLG disease, a condition he passionately dedicated his life to raising awareness about. The announcement of his death on March 1 from pneumonia and a severe infection was made by his father, Prince Robert. Diagnosed at the age of 14 with a mutation in his POLG gene, Frederik became a beacon of hope for those affected by the disorder, which is estimated to occur in approximately one in 10,000 individuals. POLG disease is a mitochondrial disorder that disrupts the body's ability to produce energy, affecting various organs and leading to symptoms such as seizures and coordination difficulties. Prince Robert described living with POLG as comparable to having a "faulty battery that never fully recharges." Esteemed neurologist Sir Doug Turnbull emphasized the brutal nature of POLG deficiency, noting its relentless progression and wide-ranging impact on bodily systems.Frederik co-founded the POLG Foundation and served as its creative director, using his own DNA for research and assisting in the creation of educational materials, including a short film about the disorder. He designed a clothing line to fund further research, demonstrating his commitment to making a difference.Born in Aix-en-Provence, Frederik spent much of his childhood in Switzerland, where he developed interests that included a love for the American series "The Office," which he watched repeatedly. During his last moments, he found solace in the view of the Eiffel Tower, asking his brother Alexander to capture a photograph of the beautiful sunset.As a second cousin to Prince Guillaume, the future king of Luxembourg, Frederik's legacy lives on not only through his family but also through the heightened awareness he brought to mitochondrial diseases. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he remarked, “I’m not sure I understood all the consequences of POLG... where slowly the world is getting smaller and smaller.”
