Prince Frederik of Nassau has sadly passed away.
The royal family of Luxembourg has suffered an unimaginable tragedy: Prince Robert and Princess Julie’s youngest son Frederik has died at just 22 years old. The grieving parents announced the heartbreaking news in a lengthy statement on both their official Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg page on Instagram and their PolG Foundation website. They revealed the young man died of rare genetic disorder PolG, which “robs the body’s cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure,” according to The PolG Foundation. So, so awful. They wrote:
“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. 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.”
Prince Robert continued:
“Frederik’s last question to me, prior to his other remarks was: ‘Papa, are you proud of me?’ 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. The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times…. but at this time, 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.”
That’s so incredibly devastating. Our hearts break for the royal family.
He added:
“Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, 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.”
You can read the full statement HERE.
For more information about PolG and Prince Frederik’s valiant battle with it, check out The PolG Foundation Film (below):
Rest in peace, Prince Frederik. Our hearts are with the family.
[Images via The PolG Foundation/YouTube]
