Filmmaker Mei Fa Tan reflected on her experience working with Luxembourg’s Prince Frederik before his death at the age of 22.
“[He was] so interested in so many topics,” Tan told Luxury Handbag Shopping on Wednesday, March 12. “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.”
Frederik’s father, Prince Robert, announced that his son died 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.
Frederik spent the last years of his life educating people about the rare disease. With his parents, Robert and Julie, Frederik co-founded The POLG Foundation to support research into effective treatments and to help find a cure.
Tan met Frederik when she was commissioned to direct the foundation’s short film, The PolG Foundation Film, released on September 4, 2024, for Mitochondrial Awareness Week.
She spoke exclusively to Luxury Handbag Shopping about getting to know Frederik, who starred in the film. Scroll down to read more on what Tan had to say about working with the late royal.
On Meeting Prince Frederik
Tan said she had several meetings with Frederik before writing the script for the film, which opens with the prince watching a compilation of videos from his childhood.
She said she wanted to convey “all the things he used to do that he can’t be doing anymore,” which she learned about from their many conversations.
“I thought it was very, very sad, and I was very touched by this because this is not how life is supposed to go,” Tan told Us. “For Frederick, he just started to experience lots of things, and everything was taken away from him, bit by bit in an inevitable way. I found this very hurtful.”
“When you’re a kid, you’ve got all these dreams, all these aspirations, these things you want to do. The possibilities are endless,” Frederik said in voice-over at the start of the film. “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.”
Tan Revealed it was ‘Painful’ to Watch Frederik Struggle
Despite the serious subject matter, Tan said 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 added.
The film also featured Emilia and Amelie, two siblings who were diagnosed with PolG. They lost their brother, Philip, to the same disease, in May 2023. He was 20.
As for Frederik, Tan said she admired his strong sense of humor and passion for film and music.
“[He was] so interested in so many topics,” she said. “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.”
According to the director, there were moments when the royal “couldn’t even get up by himself,”
“I mean, the situation is very grave, but he would always keep his dignity in all situations and keep his sense of humor,” she added.
Tan said it was a “learning curve” to educate herself about PolG after Frederik’s mother, Julie, approached the production company that she works with to help bring the film to life.
“In a sense, it was good because I could really put myself in the position of someone who didn’t know anything about that disease, which would be the case for most people watching the film,” Tan said. “I think it’s kind of a lesson, you know. Sometimes, you reconsider your life when you see people that they have it so bad, their days are counted, and they still find a way to be inspiring, to be positive and to do their 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.
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.
Visit The POLG Foundation’s website to learn more.
