Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known across the Arab world as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36, ending a two-decade-long coma that followed a devastating car accident in London in 2005.
His death was announced on Friday by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, in a heartfelt message posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son… may Allah have mercy on him,” the statement read.
In 2005, while studying at a military college in the United Kingdom, the then-15-year-old prince suffered severe brain trauma and internal bleeding in a car crash.
He was flown to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained in a vegetative state, supported by machines for the rest of his life.
Despite fleeting signs of reflexive movement during his hospitalisation, no significant recovery ever occurred. Medical specialists from around the world were consulted in the early years, but a full recovery was never within reach.
Prince Al-Waleed’s case became emblematic of unwavering royal devotion and religious conviction. His father, Prince Khaled, publicly rejected all calls to withdraw life support, repeatedly asserting that the decision over life and death belonged to God alone.
“Only God gives and takes life,” he said in past interviews. His son’s hospital room became a sacred space of continuous care, prayer, and visitation, often frequented by family, scholars, and well-wishers.
Over the years, the young prince’s condition drew widespread attention across social media, where he was affectionately dubbed the “Sleeping Prince.” Occasional videos showing subtle body movements fueled false reports of recovery, including one viral clip that wrongly identified another person as Prince Al-Waleed.
Following his passing, thousands paid tribute online using the hashtag #SleepingPrince, with users expressing admiration for his family’s perseverance and offering prayers for the late prince.
“May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled rest in peace. His story was one of endurance, faith, and love,” one post read.
Funeral prayers were held on Sunday, July 20, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. A separate women’s prayer service was held earlier at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. The royal family announced it would receive condolences from July 20 to 22.
His passing was officially confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court and reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Global Imams Council also issued condolences to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the broader royal family.
Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal, a prominent member of the royal family, and nephew to Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the globally recognized billionaire investor and philanthropist.
His life, suspended between modern medicine and spiritual conviction, quietly remained in the public consciousness — a rare, enduring reminder of the complex intersection between faith, medicine, and royal tradition in the Kingdom.
