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Dutch Prince Johan Friso has died aged 44.
The royal passed away yesterday after spending a year and a half in a coma following a skiing in Austria in which he was struck by an avalanche in February 2012 and buried for 15 minutes. He suffered severe complications after being moved from hospital in London back to the Netherlands last month.
A royal palace statement said, "His Majesty the King announces with deep regret that His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David, Prins van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg passed away this morning at Palace Huis ten Bosch in the Hague at age 44.
"Prince Friso has died of complications related to the hypoxic brain injury which he suffered as the result of his skiing accident in Lech, Austria, on 17 February 2012.
"Following initial treatment at the intensive care unit of the Innsbruck University Hospital, Prince Friso was transferred in early March 2012 to the Wellington hospital in London, his place of residence.
"In November 2012, Prince Friso began showing signs of limited awareness ("minimal consciousness") and remained in that state."
The royal palace also paid tribute to the medical team who looked after the prince, who’s said to have suffered "massive" brain damage after being hit by the avalanche, as well as a heart attack lasting 50 minutes.
The statement continued, "The royal family wholeheartedly thanks all persons who looked after Prince Friso for their excellent and devoted care."
Johan is survived by a wife, Princess Mabel, who reportedly spent her 45th birthday on Sunday at his bedside, as well as two daughters, Luana (8) and seven-year-old Zaria.
-Bang Showbiz
