Prince Frederik of Luxembourg has passed away after battling a rare genetic condition called POLG mitochondrial disease for his entire life. He died on March 1 in Paris, as announced by his family on the website of the POLG Foundation, which Frederik founded in 2022.
With deep sorrow, his father, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, shared the news: “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.”
The POLG Foundation describes the disorder as a genetic mitochondrial disease that deprives the body’s cells of energy, leading to the progressive failure of multiple organs. Unfortunately, there is currently no known treatment or cure for the condition.
In his statement, Prince Robert emphasized Frederik’s dedication to finding therapies and a cure to prevent others from enduring the same suffering he and his family experienced.
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg passed away on March 1, 2025, just a day after Rare Disease Day, at the age of 20. He had been living with POLG mitochondrial disease, a rare and debilitating genetic disorder.
Despite the challenges of his condition, Frederik showed remarkable strength and courage. In his final days, he made sure to say goodbye to his close family members, including his brother, sister, cousins, and parents. His father, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, shared that Frederik was incredibly disciplined and organized. On the day before his passing, Frederik’s Duolingo and exercise alarms went off as usual, demonstrating his routine and determination.
Frederik was diagnosed with POLG at the age of 14. The disease causes a wide array of symptoms and affects several organ systems, making it difficult to diagnose and untreatable. Prince Robert noted that the disease often goes unrecognized, even by doctors, and is typically diagnosed only in its later stages. He likened it to a malfunctioning battery that never fully recharges, always running on low power until it eventually depletes.
In a deeply moving statement, Prince Robert revealed that Frederik had once shared with a close friend that he was grateful to be the one born with this disease, as he believed that his experience could help save others in the future. Frederik often said he didn’t want his disease to define him, and he dedicated his life to raising awareness about rare diseases. He participated in medical trials with hopes of finding treatments and potential therapies for others suffering from similar conditions.
Although Frederik passed away in Paris, a city known as the City of Lights, his legacy lives on. “One light was extinguished, but so many remain,” his family wrote in the tribute.