In a heartbreaking announcement, Prince Robert of Luxembourg has shared the tragic news of the passing of his youngest son, Prince Frederik, who died at the age of 22. Frederik succumbed to POLG Mitochondrial Disease, a rare genetic disorder, on February 28, following a courageous battle against the illness.
Prince Robert took to the POLG Foundation’s website to publicly express his grief and honor his son’s legacy. He emphasized that the family remained steadfastly by Frederik’s side throughout his struggle.
In his emotional statement, he 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…”
Notably, Frederik passed away on Rare Disease Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about rare conditions. In his message, Prince Robert recounted the poignant moment when Frederik called family members to his room to say goodbye:
“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…”
Family Background of Prince Frederik
Prince Robert married Julie Elizabeth Houston Ongaro on January 29, 1994, in Boston, Massachusetts. Together, they welcomed three children: Princess Charlotte of Nassau, born in 1995; Prince Alexandre of Nassau, born on April 18, 1997; and the late Prince Frederik of Nassau, born on March 18, 2002.
Princess Charlotte, their eldest child and the only daughter, entered the world on March 20, 1995. She was baptized at Saint Michael’s Church in Luxembourg City on June 14, 1995. In January 2025, she became engaged to Mansour Shakarchi and later married him in a religious ceremony the following day.
Prince Alexandre, the couple’s second child, was born on April 18, 1997. He also received his baptism at the same church on June 14, 1997, with well-known godparents including Count Philippe of Lannoy and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg.
Prince Frederik, born on March 18, 2002, was the youngest of the three siblings. Tragically, he suffered from a POLG mutation that led to multiple organ failures. Notably, the initial symptoms of his condition went unrecognized in his early childhood.
Frederik received his official diagnosis at the age of 14 when the severity of the disease became evident. Concerned for their son’s health, Prince Robert and Princess Julie sought guidance from various specialists. Julie’s father, a prominent professor and surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, played a vital role in navigating the complex treatment landscape. Ultimately, Frederik’s condition was identified in 2016, leading to several surgeries.
In reflecting on Prince Frederik’s life, Robert described him as a beacon of optimism, courage, and enthusiasm. He possessed remarkable social skills, humor, emotional intelligence, and a deep sense of justice and fairness. Robert noted that Frederik approached life with discipline and an unwavering passion, bravely facing his challenges until the very end.
In a touching moment shared by his brother Alexandre, Frederik requested to have his photograph taken during a hospital stay, capturing the sunset while battling pneumonia and other severe health issues, highlighting his enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
The entire family is in mourning, grappling with the loss of their beloved son, Prince Frederik, who brought light into their lives. Since this tragic event, the family has chosen to remain private as they navigate their grief.