The true story of Saudi's Sleeping Prince: As funeral prayers are held today for Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud how billionaire father never gave up on his son
For 20 years, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud was kept alive on a hospital ventilator - but his doting father refused to give up hope that one day his son might awaken, before the young man's tragic death yesterday afternoon.
That day seemed like it might finally come when the prince moved his hand five years ago in response to someone talking to him by his bedside. It was the first time such a hopeful signal had been given since 2015.
But tragically, the prince's father - the brother of billionaire Saudi business tycoon Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud - was forced to finally give up hope on Saturday, announcing his son's death at the age of 36.
Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud said on X: 'O reassured soul, Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], And enter among My [righteous] servants, And enter My Paradise.
'With hearts believing in Allah will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, 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 today.'
Funeral prayers are taking place today in Saudi Arabia to mark the end of the 20 year battle - which first began when Prince Al-Waleed enrolled as a student at a military college in London.
Born on April 18, 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of a prominent member of the Saudi royal family and nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz - the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Tasked with the privileges and responsibilities of royals, the prince had been busy preparing for a future in military service.
But the same year that he enrolled at a college in London the then-teenager was involved a devastating car crash in the UK that left him with severe brain injuries and internal bleeding - leaving the royal in a complete coma.
Prince Al-Waleed was transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh where he was placed on a ventilator and feeding tube and seen by a number of medical specialists from around the world.
It was in 2015 that the prince's optimistic father was asked to consider ending life support - but he firmly refused and held tight to the hope of a possible recovery.
Clips shared on social media in 2020 showed Prince Al-Waleed lifting his fingers as a woman greeted him.
'Hi, Didi hello, hello let me see, hi,' she said as the prince wiggled his fingers in response.
The woman then asked if the prince could do 'one more, one more, higher, higher' and he could be seen lifting his whole hand off the bed momentarily.
However, despite the signs he could be recovering Prince Al-Waleed remained in a critical condition.
Heartbreaking images from across the past 20 years have shown the hopeful father stay put by the bedside of his son.
In one photo Prince Khaled can be seen with the palm of his hand placed across his son's chest while another shows him hugging his the Sleeping Prince as he lies on his bed.
In other photos take over the years, the prince wears traditional Arab head gear - a sign he would always remain very much within the royal fold in spite of his critical condition.
Prince Khaled's post yesterday afternoon marked the end of an era as the father announced the passing of his son with a verse from the Quran and information on funeral prayers.
It is not yet clear why Prince Khaled decided it was time to switch of the life support.
But the steady photographs, hopeful words and refusals to give up hope formed the basis of national memory of the loss endured by Prince Al-Waleed and his family.
The hashtag 'Sleeping Prince' has trended widely on social media following the announcement of the prince's passing, with thousands offering their condolences.
Men and women have been told they will also be able to pay their respects at the Al-Fakhariya Palace from Sunday to Tuesday.
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.'
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