Latest news with #ThePOLGFoundation
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.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Family Member Dead at 22 From Rare Disease
Prince Frederik—the son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the first cousin of , the current ruler of Luxembourg—died at the age of 22 in early March after living with PolG mitochondrial disease all his life. The sad news was announced by Robert in a blog post on the website for The POLG Foundation, a nonprofit foundation founded by Frederik's family after his diagnosis in 2016. 🎬 🎬 "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," began the message. "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." Robert recalled Frederik's emotional goodbyes to himself, his brother Alexander, his sister Charlotte, his cousins and more family members, noting, "He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother [Julie], who had not left his side in 15 years." He went on to share Frederik's last question to him, "Papa, are you proud of me?" with Robert sharing, "The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times…. but at this time, he needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on." Calling his son "my Superhero," Robert said, "Frederik fought his disease valiantly until the very end. His indomitable lust for life propelled him through the hardest of physical and mental challenges. Our cheery Frederik saw the beauty in everything." Frederik died on March 1, in Paris, France. A fan page for the Luxembourg royal family also shared the news of his death and part of Robert's tribute on social media. View the to see embedded media. The blog post shared details about Frederik's illness, noting that he lived his whole life with the disease despite the late diagnosis. According to the organization's website, PolG mitochondrial disease is "a genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure." Currently, the condition is "very difficult to diagnose and has no treatments much less a cure." The POLG Foundation is working to find therapies, treatments, and hopefully a cure to help those suffering from the disease. Next:
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?
Gulf Today
10-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Luxembourg's Prince Frederik dies at 22 due to rare genetic disease
The son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau, Prince Frederik, has died at the age of 22. Robert posted an emotional message on the POLG Foundation's website on Friday to announce his son's death. Frederik also founded the organisation, which aims to help find treatment for his rare disease condition, POLG Mitochondrial disease. '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,' Robert wrote in the lengthy statement. '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.' 'He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years,' Robert continued, referring to his wife. After Frederik gave the individual farewells, he left his loved ones 'collectively with a final long-standing family joke.' Before Frederik cheered his entire family up, 'in his last moments,' Robert recalled the last question that his son asked him: 'Papa, are you proud of me?' 'Superhero' 'He had barely been able to speak for several days, so the clarity of these words was as surprising as the weight of the moment was profound,' Robert continued. 'The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times.... but at this time, he needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on.' Robert went on to call his son his 'superhero,' before praising the work Frederik has done with the POLG Foundation. He also applauded his son's 'superpower,' which was the ability to inspire and lead by example. 'Frederik was born with a special capacity for positivity, joy, and determination. When he was little, I would always say that if there is one child of ours that I would never need to worry about, it was him,' Robert added. '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. He was disciplined and organised beyond belief.' Later in the statement, Robert shone a light on POLG Mitochondrial disease, and how the early symptoms are hard to recognise, as in Frederik's case. Very difficult to diagnose '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,' he continued. '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.' Symptoms: Muscle weakness, epilepsy and liver failure POLG Mitochondrial disease is 'a genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure,' as noted on the POLG Foundation's website. While the disease is so uncommon that 'no one knows how many patients there are,' symptoms can often include muscle weakness, epilepsy, and liver failure. Robert concluded his statement about his son by applauding the positivity he had while experiencing symptoms of the rare genetic disorder. '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. 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,' the Prince of Luxembourg said. '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..' Along with their son Frederik, Robert and Julie share two other children: Prince Alexander and Princess Charlotte. The late 22-year-old previously spoke out about his genetic condition. Last year, he was featured in his organisation's short film, The PolG Foundation Film, which includes a scene of him watching videos from his childhood. '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 a 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.' Luxembourg is a landlocked country in western Europe with a population of just 660,000. A constitutional monarchy, it has one of the highest GDP per capita ratings.
Saudi Gazette
10-03-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies from rare disease
LUXEMBOURG — Prince Frederik of Luxembourg has died after a lifelong battle with a rare genetic disorder known as POLG mitochondrial disease. He passed away on March 1 in Paris, his family announced on the website of the POLG Foundation, which Frederik started 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. The foundation describes POLG as a 'genetic mitochondrial disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure.' It said the disease has no treatment or cure. 'Frederik and the POLG Foundation ... are committed to finding therapies and a cure to save other patients from suffering what Frederik and our family have endured,' his father wrote. Despite his condition he '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,' Prince Robert wrote. Frederik was 'disciplined and organized beyond belief,' the statement said. 'On Friday [the day before he died], his Italian Duolingo and exercise alarm went off like any other day.' Prince Frederik was diagnosed with POLG at 14, which causes such a wide range of symptoms and affects many different organ systems, making it very difficult to diagnose and has no treatments or a cure, the statement said. 'As is the case for 300 million people like Frederik worldwide, these diseases are usually hard to recognize even by physicians, and patients' families may never know what they are suffering from as they may only be identified very late in their progression,' his father wrote. 'One might compare it to having a faulty battery that never fully recharges, is in a constant state of depletion and eventually loses power,' Prince Robert wrote. Prince Frederik had voiced his gratitude for having his disease over the years. And it was recently found out that he once had told a close friend (unbeknown to Frederik's family until now): 'I am glad that I am the one who was born with this disease. Even though I'll die from it .... and even if my parents do not have the time to save me, I know that they will be able to save other children.' 'Though Prince Frederik always made it very clear that he did not want the dreadful disease to define him, he devoted himself to spreading awareness on the rare disease,' the statement said, including participating in medical trials 'with the goal of finding treatments and, perhaps, ways of repurposing molecules to help patients with his condition.' 'Frederik passed on March 1st 2025, in Paris France, the City of Lights. One light was extinguished, but so many remain.' — CNN
