While Prince William considers stepping away from the crown, the Luxembourg royal family has tragically lost a young prince. On March 1st, Prince Frédéric de Nassau, the youngest son of Prince Robert and Princess Julie, passed away at the age of just 22.
The cause of death was a rare genetic condition – POLG-associated mitochondrial disease, which gradually affects the body’s cells and leads to the failure of multiple organs. His father announced the heartbreaking news.
Frédéric had founded a foundation dedicated to supporting research into his illness. In his final days, he gathered his family around him. On February 28th, World Rare Disease Day, he said his goodbyes to his loved ones. Despite his deteriorating health, he remained strong and even cracked jokes to lift the spirits of those around him.
“Even in his last moments, his humor and endless compassion lifted us all and made us laugh,” shared Prince Robert.
Before passing, Frédéric asked his father a profoundly emotional question: “Dad, are you proud of me?”
Prince Frédéric had been battling the disease since he was 14, when the first serious symptoms appeared. Despite his condition, he remained active in charity work, supported scientific research, and never lost hope until the very end.
