Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known across Saudi Arabia as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36 after spending two decades in a coma.
The prince, a member of the Saudi royal family, slipped into an unresponsive state in 2005 following a severe car accident in London while attending a military academy in the UK.
The incident left him with a traumatic brain injury and led to years of continuous medical care.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, confirmed his death on Saturday in a heartfelt message shared on 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.”
Following the accident, Prince Al-Waleed was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support for 20 years. Despite his condition, he occasionally exhibited slight reflexes, small movements that gave his family and supporters fleeting moments of hope.
Known for his father’s steadfast belief in a possible recovery, the case became a symbol of enduring hope, love, and the complexities of prolonged medical care.
Doctors from around the world were consulted over the years, but despite all efforts, the prince never regained full consciousness.
His passing marks the end of one of the most public and emotionally charged medical journeys in the kingdom’s recent history. Tributes have poured in across social media, with many Saudis expressing condolences and reflecting on the family’s unwavering devotion.