Prince Frederik of Luxembourg Dies at 22 From Rare Genetic Disorder
The royal family of Luxembourg is currently in mourning, as Prince Frederik of Luxembourg—the youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau—has died at 22 from complications of a rare genetic disorder called POLG mitochondrial disease.
Frederik's family announced the news of his passing via the POLG Foundation website—which he founded in 2022—on March 1, revealing that he died in Paris on February 28 from the condition.
"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," the family wrote in the statement. "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 humor, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh….to cheer us all up."
The statement further revealed the details of Frederik's experience with POLG, noting that he was first diagnosed when he was 14 with his symptoms "Showing more clearly and when the progression of his disease had become more acute." The family explained that POLG affects multiple organ systems and has no treatment options or cure, adding that it is a "genetic mitochondrial disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ (brain, nerves, liver, intestines, muscles, swallowing and ocular function, etc.) dysfunction and failure. One might compare it to having a faulty battery that never fully recharges, is in a constant state of depletion and eventually loses power."
The family thanked the POLG community for their support, and expressed a desire to continue the research that Frederik's foundation has started in order to one day find a cure to the disease.
"With our superhero's help we hope to turn our deep grief into positive results and therewith follow his unwavering example," the statement concluded. "His ultimate message is one of hope, compassion, and resilience! We are all so very proud of you, Frederik...We love you!"
Read the original article on InStyle
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Volunteers pack bags for hospitals at Charlotte March of Dimes event
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Charlotte March of Dimes was held Friday to support local health centers. Volunteers from Deloitte spent their Friday morning filling more than 300 kits to be donated to nearby hospitals, families with children in the NICU and health practitioners. The March of Dimes works to improve health for mothers and infants. Last year, the organization gave North Carolina a D+ grade for the health care provided in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
SafeSport issues permanant ban on high-profile gymnastics coach in latest chapter of 9-year-old case
DENVER (AP) — The gymnastics coach for a one-time Olympic alternate received a lifetime ban Thursday from the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Qi Han, whose case dates to at least 2016 and who had been under a temporary sanction for the past two years, was listed as permanently ineligible, subject to appeal, on the center's disciplinary database. It said he was found to have committed emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and violated USA Gymnastics policies and bylaws. Han, a former gymnast on the Chinese national team, and his wife, Yiwen Chen, opened Everest Gymnastics in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2004. The gym quickly gained prominence within USA Gymnastics. In 2016, Han served as the coach to Olympic alternate Ashton Locklear. Locklear told The New York Times in 2018 that Han physically and emotionally abused her and at one point threw a cell phone at her. Han denied the allegations. Several other athletes who trained at Everest came forward over ensuing years, describing similar experiences with Han. As of Thursday night, Han was still listed as the co-owner and head coach at Everest. Emails sent by The Associated Press to multiple addresses at the gymnastics club were not immediately returned. Details from Han's accusers started coming out the year before the SafeSport Center opened in the wake of extensive abuse committed by former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The Times reported that USA Gymnastics handed Han's case over to the center shortly after it opened in 2017. In explaining the lengthy amount of time it took to resolve the case, the center said in a statement that it involved more than 80 witnesses, thousands of pages of evidence and transcripts and allegations that span decades. The center said it stood by the fairness and thoroughness of the process but also 'remains committed to increasing efficiencies in our process to help resolve cases more quickly.' The center's interim CEO, April Holmes, portrayed the latest development as a sign the center is making sports safer. 'We know it is not easy to come forward, so we thank those who shared their stories and helped bring resolution to this case,' Holmes said. 'This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle.' ___ AP National Writer Will Graves contributed to this report. ___ AP sports:
New York Times
04-06-2025
- New York Times
Panthers' Ja'Tavion Sanders, leaner and faster, wants to trade pizzas for a Pro Bowl berth
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Before wrapping up their first year in the NFL at the end of the 2024 season, Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales told his rookies this would be an offseason like they hadn't experienced in college. There would be no mandatory, early-morning runs in January; no mat drills or winter weightlifting sessions. Advertisement NFL players are on their own until April, when the offseason program begins, and those workouts are voluntary. So Canales challenged the then-rookies to find the motivation on their own to report back to Bank of America Stadium in shape. Ja'Tavion Sanders understood the assignment. The second-year tight end, whose rookie season was sidetracked by a neck injury, traded fast food for lean proteins and good carbs, spent a week in California training with quarterback Bryce Young and showed up for OTAs 10 pounds lighter and a tick faster. His head coach noticed. 'J.T. heard that message, took it seriously and he really came back in such great shape,' Canales said after Tuesday's OTA practice. 'I'm proud of him for taking those steps. And it makes me feel confident about him going into the summer, having a plan for his prep and looking for a big year out of him.' Light work for the TEs — Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 3, 2025 Sanders' decision to reshape his body was a timely one: Starting tight end Tommy Tremble had back surgery last month and is out, leaving the thin tight end room even more lean after Ian Thomas' departure and Jordan Matthews' release. The Panthers drafted Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans in the fifth round. But there's a big opportunity for Sanders to take hold of the position in the absence of Tremble, who could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Canales didn't offer a specific timeline for Tremble, but said there could be a window for him to return during the preseason. 'He feels great,' Canales said. 'But there's a lot that goes into that, making sure that he's right.' Sanders thought the offseason was the right time to commit to a better diet. 'Just taking that next step. You've gotta get better every year. I couldn't come back the same way,' he said. 'I just felt like that was what I needed from myself to take that next step to become the player I want to be and to become the teammate I want to be for this team.' Advertisement Sanders has avoided junk food since returning to Charlotte for the offseason program. He hired a chef to prepare healthy meals for him, such as steak, rice and broccoli or chicken alfredo with broccoli. The 6-foot-4 Sanders weighed in at 245 pounds Tuesday after playing last season at 255. 'Last year I was definitely one of those dudes. Definitely give me a little Domino's Pizza or whatever,' he said. 'But now if I'm hungry at 11 o'clock at night, I open up one of them meal prep containers.' Sanders said his fitness kick started in southern California, where he lost five pounds while working out and catching passes with Young and second-year wide receiver Jalen Coker. Sanders stayed for five days — long enough to learn that Young doesn't mess around in the gym. 'He told me we was gonna do some QB training. Bryce might be one of the hardest workers I know. Real talk,' Sanders said. 'I'm talking about actually working out, not (only) throwing.' Asked if he did anything fun after the workouts, Sanders said: 'We got food and stuff. But that was really a business trip for sure.' Sanders was having a lot of fun as a rookie before landing on his head after trying to hurdle a Kansas City Chiefs defender in Week 12. Sanders missed the next game at Philadelphia and was limited for several weeks with what he described as whiplash. 'If anybody ever got in a wreck and you know whiplash, you know you can't move (your neck),' he said. 'You've gotta turn your whole body.' That's not ideal for a pass-catcher who averaged four targets a game over a seven-game stretch before getting flipped on his head against Kansas City. Sanders had one target or fewer in the four games after returning. He was feeling better by Week 18 at Atlanta, where he caught three passes for 35 yards in the 44-38 overtime win, which solidified Young's position as the starter going forward. Overall, it was a decent debut for the fourth-round pick from Texas: Sanders finished with a 76.7 catch percentage (33 receptions on 43 targets) for 342 yards and a touchdown. Advertisement But Sanders believes he's capable of more — like, much more. 'Ultimate goal is to win here. Win the division, win the playoffs, win the Super Bowl,' he said. 'But personal goal — trying to make the Pro Bowl.' That would be a big jump for a player who only started eight games and averaged 10.4 yards per catch last year. But a motivated Sanders could emerge as another playmaker for Young, and the tight end looked good pulling in a Young pass on a seam route during Tuesday's practice. Sanders didn't divulge all his summer plans, but he'll be back in California when Young has his teammates out for informal throwing sessions in his home state. 'I told B.Y. after that week,' Sanders said, 'I said 'I'm going back with you again.''
