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.
Prince Robert de Luxembourg and HRH Princess Julie de Luxembourg penned a heartfelt statment announcing the news[/caption]
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 diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder when 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.
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