
Saudi's 'Sleeping Prince' Alwaleed Bin Khaled Dies After 20 Years In Coma
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal died on Saturday, two decades after falling into a coma following a serious car accident in London in 2005. He was 36.
The Global Imams Council said in a statement, "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."
Statement On the Passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud pic.twitter.com/st19kxb7lC
— Global Imams Council (GIC) (@ImamsOrg) July 19, 2025
"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," his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal said in a statement.
Prince Alwaleed was 15 when the accident occurred while he was studying at a military college in the UK. The crash caused critical brain injuries and internal bleeding, leaving him in a complete coma. He was later moved to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support under constant medical care for almost 20 years.
Over the years, Prince Alwaleed came to be known as 'The Sleeping Prince.' Occasional footage showing minimal movement, such as the lifting of fingers, gave brief moments of hope to those following his condition. Despite treatment by American and Spanish specialists, he never regained full consciousness.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, remained fully committed to saving his son's life, repeatedly refusing to withdraw life support. He said that only God determines the moment of death.
Born in April 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and a nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Funeral prayers will be held on Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NDRF trains dogs to detect dead bodies: First cadaver unit to be commissioned soon; fills gap in resue ops
Representational image NEW DELHI: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is training the first set of cadaver dogs specifically to detect dead bodies or human remains during rescue operations. About six dogs, mostly Belgian Malinois and Labradors, have been undergoing training for the last few months at NDRF bases in Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu) and Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh). Unlike regular sniffer dogs used for locating survivors, these dogs are being prepared for finding the dead. To train them, the force has imported a special synthetic scent that mimics the odour of human decomposition. A senior NDRF official explained that until now, the focus was always on the 'golden hour' of saving lives. Retrieving bodies was never a formal part of training. 'NDRF personnel are tasked to retrieve bodies from under the debris like in the aftermath of a landslide or train or road accident,' an officer said to news agency PTI. Another official points out that few state rescue teams in India currently have cadaver dogs, and even where they exist, success has varied. Weather, humidity, snow and strong smells can all affect a dog's ability to detect remains. Also, training requires actual body material, which is very difficult to obtain legally or ethically, That's why the special scent was brought in from abroad. These cadaver dogs are expected to complete their training by next month and will then be attached to selected NDRF battalions across the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'This was a missing tool in our response arsenal. Once the dogs are deployed, we will better understand their effectiveness,' the officer said. Earlier this year, cadaver dogs from the Kerala Police were used during the Srisailam tunnel collapse in Telangana and the Wayanad landslides in 2024—highlighting how this skill can be a crucial part of search and rescue. Globally, cadaver dogs have proven remarkably effective. According to the American Kennel Club, they've located remains decades after death, even from skeletonised bodies buried underground. This is due to their 200–300 million scent receptors—compared to just six million in humans.


India Today
5 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


Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Who was ‘Sleeping Prince' Al-Waleed of Saudi Arabia? Dies after 20 years in coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as 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.