Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36—two decades after slipping into a coma following a car crash in London.
According to The Sun UK, the prince suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2005 while studying at a military college in the United Kingdom. The accident left him in a persistent vegetative state from which he never recovered.
His death was confirmed by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter).
“With hearts believing in Allah’s 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,” he wrote.
After the accident, the prince was flown to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under intensive care, supported by ventilators and monitored by top medical experts for 20 years. Despite occasional minor movements that sparked hope, he never regained full consciousness.
His father, Prince Khaled, stood firmly by his son’s side, refusing repeated advice to remove life support. His devotion and the prince’s condition captured national attention, with many Saudis following updates and praying for a miracle.
The “Sleeping Prince” became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the depth of a father’s love in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
