Dutch Prince Friso Coma: With 'Minimal Consciousness' Princess Mabel Tweets While Husband Fights Death After Avalanche Accident

The Dutch Prince Johan Friso, has shown minimal signs of consciousness  after being in a coma due to a skiing accident. On February 17, the prince was hit and buried by an Avalanche in the Austrian town of Lech for 25 minutes. According to doctors, oxygen deprivation had caused severe brain damage which caused the coma that he may never get out of. 

Monday, a statement was released by the Netherlands Government Information Service about the Prince's recovery, "The prognosis remains very uncertain and the medical team is still very concerned," the statement added. "It will take many months before there is more clarity." Currently the prince is being taken care of at the largest independent hospital in the United Kingdom, the Wellington Hospital in London.

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu witnessed Prince Friso moved when his wife, Princess Mabel kissed him. In an interview Tutu said, "On another day, she said she kissed him and he moved a bit." Princess Mabel has been struggling with her husband's coma and shared her feelings while asking the media to respect the royal family's privacy, "This is the worst period of my life," Mabel said. "My love for Friso, the support of family and friends, and the many messages of sympathy give me strength in this difficult time."

Friso had given up his placement for the throne after marrying Princess Mabel in 2004 without permission. The Prince would have been second in line for the throne.