Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” died Saturday at age 36 after spending two decades in a coma following a devastating car accident in London. The eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud never regained full consciousness after the 2005 crash that occurred while he was studying at a military college in the British capital.
The prince was just 15 years old when the accident caused severe brain injuries and internal bleeding. He suffered a brain hemorrhage in the horrific collision, which left him requiring life support for the remainder of his life. Following the accident, Al Waleed was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on a ventilator until his death.
Prince Khaled confirmed his son’s passing in a heartbreaking post on social media platform X on Saturday, July 19. The grieving father wrote: “With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son.” He indicated that funeral prayers would be held Sunday at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
Born in April 1990, Prince Al Waleed was a nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. His father remained deeply involved in his care throughout the two decades, firmly rejecting medical advice to withdraw life support. Prince Khaled never gave up hope that his son would make a full recovery, despite the prince remaining in a critical condition.
Over the years, the family reported occasional minor physical responses that sparked brief moments of hope. In 2020, a video shared on social media showed Al Waleed lifting his fingers in response to a woman’s greeting. When asked if he could raise his hand higher, he managed to briefly lift his entire hand from the bed. However, he never regained full consciousness despite treatment from American and Spanish medical specialists.
The prince’s hospital room became a symbol of faith and perseverance, frequently visited by family members and supporters offering prayers. Prince Khaled often shared social media footage of himself and other relatives praying for his son’s recovery, with several posts going viral and garnering millions of views over the years. The family celebrated special occasions by decorating the prince’s hospital room for holidays, including Ramadan, Eid and Saudi National Day.
News of the prince’s death sparked widespread mourning across social media platforms, with the hashtag “Sleeping Prince” trending widely. Thousands of users shared condolences with the royal family. The Global Imams Council, an Iraq-based religious organization, extended sincere condolences to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi royal family, praising the patience and steadfastness demonstrated by Prince Khaled throughout his son’s long struggle.
The prince’s death came just weeks after a false rumor circulated on social media claiming he had awakened from his coma, which was quickly debunked. His condition had remained unchanged despite receiving close medical supervision and treatment from top specialists for nearly 20 years. The prince became a national symbol of hope and faith in Saudi Arabia, with his story touching hearts across the Arab world.
Throughout his son’s ordeal, Prince Khaled remained committed to his care, believing that only divine intervention determines the moment of death. His dedication to his son’s well-being earned widespread respect and admiration from the Saudi public and beyond. The family’s unwavering faith and refusal to abandon hope became an inspiration to many facing similar medical challenges.
The prince’s lengthy medical battle highlighted the complexities surrounding long-term coma care and the emotional toll on families. His case drew attention to questions about life support decisions and the role of faith in medical treatment. Despite the tragic outcome, his father’s devotion and the family’s resilience throughout the 20-year ordeal left a lasting impact on those who followed the story.
