Who Was 'The Sleeping Prince', Saudi Royal Who Died After 20-Year Coma
Funeral prayers will be held today. The men's prayer will take place after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, while the women's service will follow the Dhuhr prayer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Who Was Prince Alwaleed Bin Khaled Bin Talal?
Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal was born on April 18, 1990.
He was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent member of the Saudi royal family. He was also the nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Prince Alwaleed was studying at a military college in London in 2005 when he was involved in a serious car accident at the age of 15. The accident caused severe brain trauma, including a brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding, leaving him in a complete coma.
He was transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he was placed on a ventilator and feeding tube.
His family sought medical help from specialists around the world, but despite all efforts, Prince Alwaleed never regained consciousness.
In 2015, doctors advised the family to consider ending life support, but his father, Prince Khaled, firmly refused, keeping faith in a possible recovery.
In 2019, minor physical responses such as finger movements and head turns offered brief hope, but his condition did not improve.
Throughout the 20 years he spent in a coma, Prince Alwaleed remained under constant medical care in Riyadh.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, never gave up hope and maintained that life and death are solely in God's hands.
Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal was not a direct son or brother of the current Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, but King Salman is his great-uncle.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Who was Prince Al-Waleed, and why was he known as Saudi Arabia's sleeping prince?
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud was born in April 1990 into one of Saudi Arabia's most influential royal families. He was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and the nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin with the privileges and responsibilities of royalty, Al-Waleed had been preparing for a future in military service. In 2005, at just 15 years old, he was enrolled at a military college in London when his life was suddenly and irreversibly year, a serious car crash in the UK left him with massive brain injuries and internal bleeding. Doctors struggled to stabilise him. Despite efforts by both American and Spanish medical teams, his condition did not improve beyond a minimally responsive the accident, he was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. From that moment, his life entered a long pause. Though he remained alive on life support, Al-Waleed never recovered full movements gave occasional hope — a twitch of a finger or a blink during Quranic recitation — but there was no significant neurological progress. He was kept under constant care for nearly 20 years. Medical experts early on concluded that he would never return to a conscious state. Yet his father refused to give Khaled bin Talal stood by his son every step of the way. Faced with difficult decisions, he chose to fight for his son's life, believing firmly that life and death were not for humans to refused repeated advice to end life support. Instead, he placed his trust in divine a public post on X (formerly Twitter), Prince Khaled announced his son's passing, writing, "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." — allah_cure_dede (@allah_cure_dede) For nearly two decades, his son's hospital room became a place of prayer. Visitors included religious figures, well-wishers, and thousands who saw in the prince's story something larger than tragedy — a powerful example of hope and human the years went by, the public gave him a name: the 'Sleeping Prince'.The phrase captured the frozen nature of his life — a young royal who entered a coma at 15 and stayed there until his death at 36. He was a symbol of suspended time, a reminder of fragility, and a story that millions followed from videos over the years sparked speculation, with some suggesting he had woken up. One recent clip falsely claimed to show the prince reunited with family, but it was later revealed to feature Saudi billionaire Yazeed Mohamed Al-Rajhi. The rumours were common. The reality stayed the never death on 19 July was confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court through the state news agency. The Global Imams Council issued its 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." Social media flooded with tributes under the hashtag #SleepingPrince. Messages came in from across the Arab world."May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled, Rest In Peace. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones," one user posted."Your time on earth was a blessing to your family and the world in general," said prayers for Prince Al-Waleed were held on Sunday, 20 July, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, following the Asr women, prayers were held at King Faisal Specialist Hospital after the Dhuhr family is receiving condolences from 20 to 22 Al-Waleed's story is not one of a life lived fully, but of a life that never got the chance. His 20 years in a coma became a national memory — not because of what he did, but because of what he endured, and what his family stood father's quiet defiance against letting go, his refusal to pull the plug, and his belief that healing could come from above, left a lasting impression on the the end, the Sleeping Prince became a symbol of patience, prayer and the long weight of hope.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Who Was 'The Sleeping Prince', Saudi Royal Who Died After 20-Year Coma
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal died on Saturday at the age of 36. Known as "The Sleeping Prince," he died nearly two decades after a car accident in London left him in a coma. He remained on life support under constant care in Riyadh, never regaining consciousness. Funeral prayers will be held today. The men's prayer will take place after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, while the women's service will follow the Dhuhr prayer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Who Was Prince Alwaleed Bin Khaled Bin Talal? Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal was born on April 18, 1990. He was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent member of the Saudi royal family. He was also the nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Prince Alwaleed was studying at a military college in London in 2005 when he was involved in a serious car accident at the age of 15. The accident caused severe brain trauma, including a brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding, leaving him in a complete coma. He was transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he was placed on a ventilator and feeding tube. His family sought medical help from specialists around the world, but despite all efforts, Prince Alwaleed never regained consciousness. In 2015, doctors advised the family to consider ending life support, but his father, Prince Khaled, firmly refused, keeping faith in a possible recovery. In 2019, minor physical responses such as finger movements and head turns offered brief hope, but his condition did not improve. Throughout the 20 years he spent in a coma, Prince Alwaleed remained under constant medical care in Riyadh. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, never gave up hope and maintained that life and death are solely in God's hands. Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal was not a direct son or brother of the current Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, but King Salman is his great-uncle.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Prince Al-Waleed, Saudi Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince,' passes away: What left him in a 20-year coma?
At age 15, Prince Al-Waleed suffered a severe brain injury in a 2005 car crash that caused his coma/ Image: X TL;DR Prince Al-Waleed was a Saudi royal known as the 'Sleeping Prince.' He fell into a coma after a serious car accident in 2005 at age 15. He remained in a coma for nearly 20 years under constant medical care. He passed away in July 19, 2025, marking the end of a long and hopeful journey. Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, widely known across Saudi Arabia and the Arab world as the 'Sleeping Prince,' passed away on Saturday, July 19, at the age of 36, after nearly two decades in a coma. The Royal Court announced his death through the Saudi Press Agency, confirming the end of a long and deeply emotional chapter in the life of the Saudi royal family. Prince Al-Waleed's story has resonated with many over the years, drawing prayers, sympathy, and attention across the region. His passing marks the conclusion of an extraordinary and tragic journey that began with a life full of promise and was later defined by unwavering hope, faith, and familial devotion. A Life Altered by Tragedy Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and the nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. As a young man, he was a military cadet studying in London, preparing for a future in service. However, in 2005, at just 15 years old, his life took a sudden and devastating turn when he suffered a car accident that left him with a severe brain hemorrhage and internal injuries. The prince was flown back to Saudi Arabia and admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under constant medical care. Despite efforts by American and Spanish specialists, including extensive consultations with neurologists and intensive care experts, he never regained full consciousness. Over the years, Prince Al-Waleed remained in a minimally responsive coma, occasionally showing involuntary movements that offered small but fleeting signs of awareness. Throughout his condition, he was kept on a ventilator, and his vital functions were supported round-the-clock. His case drew interest and sympathy far beyond the royal court, turning his hospital room into a quiet spiritual site. Family members and visitors,including religious figures,would gather to recite Quranic verses, hoping for a miracle. Videos showing Prince Al-Waleed's seemingly subtle reactions to Quranic recitations were shared online and often went viral, becoming symbolic of enduring hope and divine possibility. Family's Enduring Hope and Unwavering Devotion For nearly 20 years, Prince Al-Waleed's father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, remained resolute in his belief that his son would recover. His dedication was widely recognized, especially as he continually refused to end life support measures despite the long odds and medical counsel. During nightly prayers in Ramadan or during family visits on Eid, Prince Khaled would be seen praying with deep emotion, calling on Allah for his son's healing. Over the years, he used his social media presence,particularly on the platform X,to share updates, express prayers, and ask others to join in his faith and support. His words conveyed not only the pain of a father but also the strength of belief that defined their journey through the years. Even shortly before his son's death, Prince Khaled had shared heartfelt prayers for his recovery. On Saturday, July 19, he confirmed the passing of his son with a message that reflected both his grief and his faith. He wrote on X: "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 announcement was echoed by the Royal Court and published through official channels, closing a chapter that many across the country had followed for nearly two decades. Funeral Prayers and Mourning Gatherings Following the announcement, the Royal Court provided details of the funeral prayers and mourning services. Funeral prayers for Prince Al-Waleed will be held on Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Separate condolence gatherings have been arranged for men and women, Men's prayer will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque after Asr prayer. Women's prayer is scheduled at King Faisal Specialist Hospital after the Dhuhr prayer. The funeral service will be held over three days, spanning three days from Sunday to Tuesday. The men's condolence gathering will take place at Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal's Palace in Al-Fakhariya. The women's condolence gathering will be held at Al-Fakhariya Palace , the residence of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, after the Maghrib prayer. These gatherings are expected to bring together members of the royal family, friends, dignitaries, and the many people across Saudi Arabia who had followed the story of the Sleeping Prince with empathy and prayer. FAQs: Q. Who was Prince Al-Waleed? A Saudi royal called the 'Sleeping Prince' who stayed in a coma for nearly 20 years after a crash. Q. What caused his coma? A severe brain injury from a 2005 car accident left him in a coma at age 15. Q. How long was he in a coma? He remained in a coma for almost 20 years, from 2005 until his passing in 2025. Q. Did he ever regain consciousness? No, Prince Al-Waleed stayed minimally conscious and never fully woke up. Q. Where and when will his funeral be held? Funeral prayers will start July 20 at Imam Turki Mosque in Riyadh, with services lasting three days.
