Who Was Saudi’s “Sleeping Prince” & Why He Spent 20 Years in Coma

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family known to many as "The Sleeping Prince," passed away at the age of 36, concluding nearly two decades spent in a coma.

His prolonged unconscious state began following a severe car accident in London in 2005, an event that profoundly impacted his family and captivated public attention.

The late Prince's father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent Saudi royal and the nephew of wealthy Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, revealed the death of his son at a Saudi medical facility on Saturday, July 19.

“With hearts believing in Allah will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today,” the father of the deceased wrote in Arabic on X.

Who Was Prince Alwaleed Bin Khaled Bin Talal?

Born on April 18, 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud.

He was also the nephew of prominent billionaire businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and a great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, placing him within a significant lineage of the Al Saud dynasty.

At the time of the accident, he was just 15 years old and was pursuing his education at a military college in London.

The tragic incident occurred in 2005, leaving the young prince with severe brain injuries, including a brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding.

These catastrophic injuries immediately plunged him into a coma from which he would never regain consciousness.

Following the accident, Prince Al-Waleed was transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where he was maintained on life support.

For two decades, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, remained steadfast in his refusal to remove his son from life support, despite advice from medical professionals to do so.

Prince Khaled's decision was rooted in his deep faith, consistently stating his belief that matters of life and death are solely in God's hands.

This unwavering devotion became a hallmark of the prince's story, drawing widespread sympathy and admiration.

While occasional, minor physical responses from the prince offered fleeting moments of hope, his condition did not improve, and he remained under constant medical care in Riyadh until his passing.

The passing of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled marks the end of a long and challenging chapter for the Saudi royal family, and for the countless individuals who followed his silent journey over the years.

Funeral prayers were held on Sunday at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.