In an emotional Instagram post from the "POLG Foundation," the parents shared: "Last Friday, Frederik called us to him one last time. With his last strength, he said goodbye to us – his final words to me were: 'Dad, are you proud of me?'" Frederik had been suffering from a PolG mutation since 2016, a genetic mitochondrial disorder that damages organs by depriving them of energy. Despite the incurable diagnosis, he remained fighting until the end: "His humor and compassion even comforted us in the final moments with a smile", the statement reads.
The "POLG Foundation", founded in 2021 by Prince Frederik's parents, is dedicated to research and support for those affected. Prince Robert paid tribute to his son as a "superhero" who, through his example, had given courage.