Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies at 22 after battling rare genetic disorder

POLG is a genetic mitochondrial disorder that deprives the body’s cells of energy, leading to progressive organ dysfunction and eventual failure, according to the foundation’s website.

Frederik was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 14. Due to its impact on multiple organ systems, the disease is often difficult to diagnose.

Prince Frederik’s death occurred just one day after Rare Disease Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness for rare conditions. His father highlighted the challenges faced by those affected, stating, “As is the case for 300 million people like Frederik worldwide, these diseases are usually hard to recognize even by physicians, and patients’ families may never know what they are suffering from as they may only be identified very late in their progression,” CNN reported.

Currently, there is no cure or treatment for POLG.

Prince Robert compared the disease to “having a faulty battery that never fully recharges, is in a constant state of depletion and eventually loses power,” according to CNN.

Commitment to finding cure

Despite his illness, Prince Frederik dedicated himself to advocating for research into POLG and other rare diseases. “Frederik and the POLG Foundation … are committed to finding therapies and a cure to save other patients from suffering what Frederik and our family have endured,” his father stated, per CNN.

The prince actively participated in medical trials and awareness campaigns, with the aim of discovering treatments and exploring potential repurposing of molecules to help others affected by the condition.

What did the prince’s family say?

Prince Frederik was surrounded by family in his final days and took the time to bid farewell to each of them, including his siblings, Alexander and Charlotte; his three cousins, Charly, Louis, and Donall; his brother-in-law, Mansour; and his Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mark.

“Though Prince Frederik always made it very clear that he did not want the dreadful disease to define him, he devoted himself to spreading awareness on the rare disease,” the family said in their statement, as reported by CNN.

Prince Frederik’s father, Robert, is a first cousin of Luxembourg’s current head of state, Grand Duke Henri, and holds the 15th position in the line of succession.

(With inputs from CNN)