Saudi ‘Sleeping Prince' Alwaleed bin Khalid laid to rest; funeral prayer held in Riyadh
TL;DR
Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal
passed away on July 19 after being in a
coma
since 2005.
The funeral was held on July 20 in Riyadh, attended by senior royals and officials.
Condolences poured in from UAE leaders and others across the region.
Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud has passed away, closing a chapter marked by hope, uncertainty, and quiet resilience. For nearly two decades, he lived in a coma after a car crash in London changed the course of his life at just 15 years old.
The Saudi royal, who had once been a young cadet at a military college, spent the rest of his life under intensive care in Riyadh, watched over by his family and remembered by many in the kingdom.
His death was confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court on July 19, and funeral prayers were held a day later, on Sunday, July 20, at Riyadh's Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, as reported by SPA. The moment marked the end of a long, deeply personal journey for his family, especially for his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, who had stayed by his side and held on to the possibility of recovery.
Who Was Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid, the 'Sleeping Prince'?
Born in 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and the nephew of prominent businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. In 2005, while attending military college in London, a car accident left him with a severe brain injury that resulted in a long-lasting coma. The injury caused a brain hemorrhage, and despite medical efforts, he never regained full consciousness.
He returned to Saudi Arabia soon after and was kept under round-the-clock care.
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Over the years, short clips occasionally surfaced online showing slight movements, flickers of response that his father believed were signs of hope. These moments kept the prince in the public eye and became symbols of faith and patience for many Saudis.
A Funeral Marked by Quiet Respect
On Sunday, July 20, mourners gathered at one of Riyadh's oldest and most prominent mosques to offer funeral prayers. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, led the prayer.
Members of the royal family stood together, joined by high-ranking officials and ordinary citizens alike.
Among those present were the prince's father, his two brothers, and his uncle Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Their presence marked both the closeness of the family and the weight of the loss they had carried privately for years.
There was no official ceremony beyond the prayer, just a collective acknowledgment of a quiet life and the people who never left his side.
UAE Leaders Share Their Condolences
Following the announcement of his death, condolences began arriving from across the region.
According to SPA, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, offering sympathy on behalf of the Emirati leadership. Similar messages came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Presidential Court.
Their responses reflected more than diplomatic protocol, they showed the deep personal and political ties that link the leadership of Gulf nations. Prince Alwaleed's passing, though quiet, stirred real emotion across borders.
Family, Faith, and a Long Wait for a Miracle
Throughout the years, Prince Khaled bin Talal often spoke publicly about his son's condition. He remained hopeful, even sharing rare footage where the prince appeared to move a hand or blink in response to sound.
Many in the kingdom saw this long vigil as an act of love and faith. The story of the Sleeping Prince wasn't just about tragedy, it became a symbol of endurance. His father's refusal to give up was both admired and deeply human.
Though Prince Alwaleed never recovered, his story stayed alive. And in that way, he was never entirely gone.
FAQ
1. Who was Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud?
He was a Saudi royal born in 1990, the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew of businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He fell into a coma in 2005 after a car accident and remained in that state for nearly 20 years.
2. What caused the coma?
He suffered a brain hemorrhage after a severe car crash while studying at a military college in London.
3. When and where was the funeral held?
The funeral prayer was held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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