Latest news with #POLG
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Director opens up on ‘painful' experience of working with Luxembourg's Prince Frederik before his death
Director Mei Fa Tan spoke out about her experience working with the son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, Prince Frederik, after he died last week at the age of 22. Frederik tragically died of POLG Mitochondrial disease, a rare disorder he was diagnosed with eight years ago. His death was announced by his dad Robert on March 7 in a lengthy message online. With tributes to the late royal pouring in, Tan spoke to Us Weekly about the time she spent working with Frederik. '[He was] so interested in so many topics. He would love to talk about basically anything,' she told the outlet. 'Mostly film and music…But his body would not allow him to do as much. So that was really painful to watch because he was trying his best.' In Robert's heartbreaking message about his son's death, he opened up about Frederik's diagnosis and explained that its symptoms aren't easy to detect from an early age. He wrote: 'Frederik was diagnosed with POLG at the age of 14, when his symptoms were showing more clearly and when the progression of his disease had become more acute. 'Because POLG disease causes such a wide range of symptoms and affects so many different organ systems, it is very difficult to diagnose and has no treatments, much less a cure.' POLG Mitochondrial disease is described as 'a genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure' on the POLG Foundation website. The condition is very 'uncommon' and the symptoms, which are hard to spot, include liver failure, muscle weakness, and epilepsy. As a young person with POLG Mitochondrial, Frederik sought to raise awareness by creating an official foundation, encouraging new research and widespread fundraising efforts. Robert's statement went on to describe Frederik's unwavering positivity and commitment to happily living each day without letting the disease control more of his life. Tan met Frederick when she was commissioned to direct the foundation's short film, The PolG Foundation Film. 'This is the battle that Frederik fought, and this is the burden that he had to carry throughout his life. He always did so with grace and with humour,' Robert wrote. 'When we asked him if he wanted to create a foundation to find a cure and help others like him, he jumped at the opportunity. 'Though he always made it very clear that he did not want this dreadful disease to define him, he nonetheless immediately identified with and helped define the mission of The POLG Foundation.' Frederik was able to star in the organization's first production, The PolG Foundation Film, before he died, for scenes of him watching his own childhood videos. 'When you're a kid, you've got all these dreams, all these aspirations, these things you want to do. The possibilities are endless,' he said in the film's voiceover. 'I'm not sure I understood all the consequences of PolG when I first got diagnosed. It's more subtle, where slowly, the world is getting smaller and smaller.'
South China Morning Post
10-03-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Who are Princess Charlotte and Prince Alexandre of Nassau, who just lost their brother Frederik? The Luxembourg royals are mourning the death of their sibling, and will carry on his NGO work
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, the youngest son of the Prince and Princess of Nassau, has died after a long battle with POLG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. The 22-year-old's death was announced by his family on March 7 on the POLG Foundation website, started by Frederik in 2022. '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,' his father, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, wrote. Advertisement His family said Prince Frederik 'fought his disease valiantly until the very end'. Photo: @polgfoundation/Instagram 'Last Friday, February 28, 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, Alexandre; his sister, Charlotte; me,' the bereaved father continued. 'He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years.' According to the foundation's website, POLG mitochondrial disease 'is a genetic mitochondrial disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure'. 'Frederik's last question to me, before his other remarks, was: 'Papa, are you proud of me?' He had barely been able to speak for several days,' the heartfelt statement continued. The late Prince Frederik (left) and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Alexandre. Photo: @polgfoundation/Instagram 'As his siblings and most anyone who ever met him say, 'Frederik is the strongest person that we know!' Frederik fought his disease valiantly until the very end.' Here's everything to know about the late prince's older siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Alexandre. Who is Princess Charlotte of Nassau?
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Luxembourg's Prince Frederik dead from genetic disease at 22
(NewsNation) — Prince Frederik of Luxembourg has died at 22 from POLG mitochondrial disease, a genetic disorder he has had since birth. The family announced his death one day after Rare Disease Day, which is the last day of February. His father, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, posted a statement to the POLG Foundation website, which Prince Frederik founded in 2021 to raise awareness about the rare condition. Odell Beckham Jr. and Druski accused in assault with Diddy Prince Frederik was able to say his last goodbyes to his family, including his parents, siblings and cousins, after being able to barely speak for several days. 'He has social skills like no other, an amazing sense of humour, an emotional intelligence and compassion that were off the charts, a sense of justice, fairness and decency that knows no bounds,' Prince Robert said in the statement. Although Prince Frederik was born with POLG mitochondrial disease, he was not diagnosed until he was 14, when the illness progressed. The rare disorder affects multiple organ systems and is the most common inherited mitochondrial disease. It is named for the POLG gene, and there are more than 200 POLG mutations that can cause the disease. Vitamin A won't have 'any impact' on US measles outbreak: Doctor The POLG Foundation described the disorder as robbing cells of energy and comparing it to a battery that never fully charges, is constantly being depleted and eventually loses power. There is no cure for POLG diseases, though patients can be given treatment to help manage the symptoms. Up to 2% of people with Northern European heritage may carry POLG mutations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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, love you!" Read the original article on InStyle
Filipino Times
10-03-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies at 22 after battling rare genetic disease
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, the youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, passed away on March 1, 2025, in Paris. He was 22 years old and died from POLG, a rare genetic disease, just a day after Rare Disease Day. Frederik had co-founded the POLG Foundation in 2022 and had served as its creative director. His father, Prince Robert, shared the heartbreaking news on March 7 through a statement on the POLG Foundation's website. Before his passing, Frederik had gathered his family in his room on February 28 to speak with them. His father also mentioned that Frederik's last question to him was, 'Papa, are you proud of me?' 'Frederik fought his disease valiantly until the very end,' Robert wrote. 'His indomitable lust for life propelled him through the hardest of physical and mental challenges. Our cheery Frederik saw the beauty in everything.' Frederik is remembered as a fighter and advocate, inspiring many with his strength. 'Frederik knows that he is my Superhero,' Prince Robert wrote. 'Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example.' POLG disease is a mitochondrial disorder caused by mutations in the POLG gene, which is essential for cell DNA repair and replication. The disease affects several organs, including the brain, muscles, and liver, and has no cure. It is difficult to diagnose due to its wide-ranging symptoms and lack of awareness. Frederik was diagnosed with POLG at age 14, and it affects about 1 in 10,000 people globally.
