Commissioned by Frederik’s mother, Princess Julia of Nassau, to helm an educational short film about the disease with Frederik at its center, director Mei Fa Tan said she was left “inspired” by the prince but also found it “painful to watch” him struggle with his health.

The prince had PolG disease, a genetic mitochondrial disorder that prevents the body's cells from producing adequate energy.

Prince Frederik, 22, was a founder and the creative director of a foundation that raised awareness of POLG disorder.