Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled Al-Saud, widely referred to as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36, after spending over 20 years in a coma caused by a tragic car accident in London.
The accident occurred in 2005 when Prince Al-Waleed was just 15 years old and studying at a military college in the UK. He sustained severe brain hemorrhage and internal injuries that left him unconscious and dependent on life support.
Despite his critical condition, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, remained hopeful for a miracle recovery and consistently rejected suggestions to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Prince Al-Waleed was eventually transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under intensive care for two decades.
On Sunday, Prince Khaled announced his son’s death via a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“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.”
Over the years, Prince Al-Waleed’s condition touched many across the Arab world. Images shared online showed him surrounded by family members in the hospital, symbolizing resilience, hope, and unwavering faith.
Following the announcement of his passing, tributes flooded social media, with #SleepingPrince trending as users paid their respects and shared memories of his inspirational story.
