Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, affectionately referred to as Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’, has sadly passed away after spending nearly two decades in a coma. He was 36 years old.
The prince died on Saturday at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he had been on life support since 2005 following a catastrophic car accident in London. At the time of the crash, he was studying at a military college in the United Kingdom, which resulted in a severe brain haemorrhage and left him in a persistent vegetative state.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, confirmed the tragic news via social media.
“With hearts accepting Allah’s will and decree, and with profound sorrow, 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,” the bereaved father posted on X.
The Saudi Royal Court also acknowledged the prince’s death, indicating that funeral prayers will take place on Sunday, July 20, at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, following the Asr prayer. A traditional three-day mourning period will ensue.
It is noteworthy that Prince Al-Waleed’s medical condition had garnered significant attention over the years. Despite being in a coma, he occasionally demonstrated minimal signs of consciousness, such as slight movements of his hands or head, small gestures that sparked hope among his family and followers.
Prince Khaled remained a steadfast presence at his son’s side, frequently sharing videos and updates with the public. He also called for ongoing prayers for his son’s recovery, showcasing the unwavering love and faith that transformed the prince’s story into one of resilience and paternal devotion throughout the Arab world.
In recent years, speculation circulated online regarding claims that he had regained consciousness, but these assertions were never substantiated. His death now lays those rumours to rest.
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Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After Nearly Twenty Years in Coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, commonly known as Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’, has tragically passed away after almost two decades in a coma. He was just 36 years of age.
The prince breathed his last on Saturday at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he had been reliant on life support since 2005, following a horrific car accident in London. At the time, he was attending a military college in the United Kingdom when the incident occurred, resulting in a severe brain haemorrhage that left him in a persistent vegetative state.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, shared the sorrowful news on social media.
“With hearts that accept Allah’s will and decree, and with great sadness, we mourn our dear son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy upon him, who passed away today,” the distraught father wrote on X.
The Saudi Royal Court also confirmed the demise of the prince, stating that funeral prayers will be conducted on Sunday, July 20, at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, following the Asr prayer. A customary three-day mourning period will follow.
Prince Al-Waleed’s medical condition had attracted considerable media attention over the years. Despite being in a coma, he occasionally displayed minimal signs of consciousness, such as small movements of his hands or head, fleeting gestures that instilled hope in his family and supporters.
Prince Khaled consistently remained by his son’s side, often sharing videos and updates with the public. He also urged continued prayers for his son’s recovery, embodying the steadfast love and faith that transformed the prince’s narrative into one of resilience and paternal devotion across the Arab world.
In recent years, there had been speculation online about reports of him waking up, but these claims were never verified. His passing now puts those speculations to rest.
