Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 36 after spending nearly two decades in a coma.
In 2005, as a teenager, the Saudi prince was involved in a severe car accident in London that left him with traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding. Despite immediate medical care, he never regained consciousness.
Since the incident, Prince Al-Waleed had been kept on life support at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Saudi Arabia. His long-term coma and minimal signs of awareness became widely known, especially after he made small movements in 2019, such as slightly lifting a finger or turning his head.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, confirmed the prince’s passing on July 19. “We mourn our beloved son… may Allah have mercy on him,” he stated, expressing deep sorrow.
Condolences have poured in from across the world. The Global Imams Council acknowledged the prince’s struggle and extended sympathies to the royal family, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Social media users shared heartfelt messages, with many writing, “May his soul rest in peace,” and calling his life a “blessing to his family and the world.”
Funeral prayers for Prince Al-Waleed are scheduled to be held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
His passing marks the end of a tragic chapter that deeply touched many across Saudi Arabia and beyond.