Prince Frederik’s family has shared a new photo of the late royal exclusively with Us Weekly.
Luxembourg’s Prince Robert announced his son died at just 22 following a battle with PolG Mitochondrial disease — a rare condition that causes organ failure and has no known cure — in a statement via Instagram on Saturday, March 8.
In the new photo, shared with Us by The POLG Foundation, Frederik can be seen sitting outside with his legs crossed as he looks off-camera.
Frederik and his parents, Prince Robert and Julie, founded The POLG Foundation to support research into effective treatments and to help find a cure.
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The foundation’s short film, The PolG Foundation Film, was released on September 4, 2024, for Mitochondrial Awareness Week.
Frederik starred in the film along with several others who spoke openly about their experiences with PolG. It was directed by Mei Fa Tan, who previously told Us that the energy on set was “very positive” and “light.”
“I think it was very brave of all the kids who participated in the film because they really took it seriously. But they also let their inner joy and spirit still be there,” she said.
“[He was] so interested in so many topics,” Tan said of Frederik. “He would love to talk about basically anything. 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.”
“The POLG Foundation’s hopes for the film and Frederik’s legacy are deeply tied to our mission: to accelerate research for effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for POLG mitochondrial disorders,” Brian Tseng, Chief Scientific Officer at The POLG Foundation, said in a statement to Us on Thursday, March 13.
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Tseng described Frederik as an “extraordinary young man” who was “wise beyond his years, deeply compassionate, and endlessly curious about the world.”
“Even throughout the worst of days, he remained unfailingly polite, learning and remembering the names of everyone around him caring for him and always expressing his gratitude. His kindness and resilience inspired all who met him, and we hope this film captures the spirit of who he was and the mission he championed,” he added.
