Who was ‘Sleeping Prince' Al-Waleed of Saudi Arabia? Dies after 20 years in coma
Saudi Arabia
's 'Sleeping Prince,' passed away on July 19, 2025, after spending nearly two decades in a coma. Born into the powerful House of Saud, his story drew national attention and global sympathy following a devastating car accident in 2005 that left him unresponsive at the age of 15.
For 20 years, his family, particularly his father Prince Khaled, remained by his side, holding on to hope and faith. His death marks the end of a long, emotionally resonant chapter in Saudi Arabia's royal history.
The life and silence of the 'Sleeping Prince' of Saudi Arabia
Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew to billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. In 2005, while studying at a military college in London, a severe car crash left him with traumatic brain injuries.
Declared to be in a persistent vegetative state, he was brought back to Riyadh, where he received continuous medical care at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Despite no signs of full recovery, his occasional movements, like finger twitches, fueled hope that he might someday awaken.
Throughout the 20 years of Al-Waleed's coma, his father refused to end life support. Prince Khaled publicly stated that only God had the right to determine his son's fate.
His devotion resonated deeply in Saudi society, where faith and family are cornerstones of identity. The story of the Sleeping Prince became one of love, hope, and spiritual conviction, often cited as a testament to parental resilience and religious belief.
Passing and public mourning
Prince Al-Waleed passed away on July 19, 2025, at the age of 36. Funeral prayers were held the following day at Riyadh's Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. Tributes poured in from across the kingdom, with citizens, scholars, and royal family members expressing sorrow and solidarity.
His prolonged medical condition and dignified passing made headlines worldwide.
While he spent most of his life in silence, Prince Al-Waleed's story left a profound mark on the hearts of many. It prompted national conversations around medical ethics, the sanctity of life, and the emotional endurance of families dealing with long-term critical care. To many Saudis, he will be remembered not just as the Sleeping Prince, but as a symbol of enduring love and faith.
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India.com
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- India.com
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New Delhi: Saudi Arabia's Sleeping Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal has died at the age of 36. In 2005, he was once involved in a car accident in London. Since then, he was in a coma for 20 years. During that time, he suffered internal bleeding and brain haemorrhage. The prince was the son of Prince Khalid bin Talal, a senior member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, and the nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. He was born in 1990. His family has confirmed this sad news. Let's know why he was known as the Sleeping Prince. What happened to the prince? Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled's life changed forever in 2005, when he suffered a serious brain injury in a terrible car accident at the age of 15. At that time, he was studying at a military academy in London, which was supposed to be the beginning of his bright and promising future. But the time after the accident became a two-decade-long battle between life and death for the prince. Despite the world's best medical care and countless efforts by American, Spanish and Saudi experts, Prince Al-Waleed remained in a coma. He occasionally made small movements, which kept his family's hopes alive. Why did his father not give up hope? During this difficult time, his father Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud prayed to God with selfless love and unwavering faith. He never left his son's side and always opposed the removal of the life support system. He turned his palace into a place of prayer and often posted emotional messages and recitations of the Quran on social media. Every small sign of the sleeping prince gave the family hope that maybe one day their beloved son would open his eyes again. But this never happened, and the sleeping prince remained in a coma for 20 years until his death on July 19, 2025. Who broke the news? His father gave this information on social media and shared a verse from the Quran and wrote, 'O peaceful soul, return to your Lord, who is pleased with you. Join his righteous servants and enter his paradise'. His funeral prayers were offered on Sunday, 20 July 2025. Also, condolence meetings will be held on three days Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, so that people can remember him for the last time.
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
'Sleeping Prince' of Saudi Arabia passes away at 36 after spending 20 years in coma
Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a tragic road accident at the age of 15 while studying at a military college in the UK read more Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the 'Sleeping Prince' of Saudi Arabia, passed away at 36, nearly two decades after a 2005 car accident in London left him in a coma. Born in April 1990, he was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a notable Saudi royal and nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. At 15, while studying at a military college in the UK, he suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a tragic road accident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite urgent medical efforts, including care from specialised physicians from the United States and Spain, he never regained full consciousness. He was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support for nearly 20 years. His father, Prince Khaled, steadfastly rejected suggestions to withdraw life support, holding onto hope for a miracle. The prince, dubbed the 'Sleeping Prince,' occasionally showed minimal movements, such as slight finger lifts, which were shared in rare videos online, sparking fleeting hope among his family and supporters. Prince Khaled confirmed his son's death, stating: 'With hearts full of faith in Allah's decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, 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 to Allah's mercy today.' The Global Imams Council also expressed condolences: 'The Global Imams Council extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to… His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the esteemed Royal Family, on the passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who passed away after a long struggle that lasted nearly twenty years following a tragic accident.' Funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
India Today
9 hours ago
- India Today
Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' Al Waleed bin Khaled dies after 20 years in coma
Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the "Sleeping Prince," has died nearly 20 years after slipping into a coma following a car accident in London in 2005. He was in April 1990, Prince Al Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent Saudi royal and nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. At the age of 15, while studying at a military college in the UK, the young royal suffered a tragic road accident that left him with severe brain injuries and internal urgent medical intervention and the involvement of specialised physicians from the United States and Spain, he never regained full consciousness. Following the accident, he was moved to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support under continuous medical care for nearly two father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, had publicly opposed all suggestions to withdraw life support, holding on to the hope of divine the years, the prince came to be known as the "Sleeping Prince," with rare videos emerging online showing minimal movement, such as the slight lifting of his fingers, offering fleeting hope to his family and his death, Prince Khaled said in a statement: "With hearts full of faith in Allah's decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, 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 to Allah's mercy today."The Global Imams Council also extended condolences, saying, "The Global Imams Council extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to... His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the esteemed Royal Family, on the passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who passed away after a long struggle that lasted nearly twenty years following a tragic accident."Funeral prayers will be held on Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.- Ends
