Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ was only 15 when a devastating car crash in London in 2005 changed his life forever.
For two decades, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud remained in a coma, kept alive by a hospital ventilator. Throughout it all, his devoted father never lost faith, holding onto hope that his son might one day wake up.
That hope was briefly rekindled five years ago when the prince appeared to move his hand in response to a voice at his bedside—his first sign of activity since 2015. But yesterday afternoon, after 20 years of unwavering care and love, the young prince tragically passed away.
But tragically, on Saturday, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud—brother of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal—was finally forced to let go of the hope he had carried for two decades, announcing the death of his beloved son at the age of 36.
“O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], and enter among My [righteous] servants, and enter My Paradise.”
“With hearts that believe 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.”
Funeral prayers are being held today in Saudi Arabia, marking the end of a 20-year ordeal that began when the young prince—then a military college student in London—was involved in the tragic accident that changed his life forever.
His devoted father held onto hope that his son would one day wake, until the young man’s tragic passing yesterday afternoon.
Born on April 18, 1990, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud was the eldest son of a prominent member of the Saudi royal family. He was the nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Raised with the responsibilities and privileges that come with royal life, Prince Al-Waleed was preparing for a future in military service. But in the same year he enrolled at a college in London, his life took a tragic turn. As a teenager, he was involved in a devastating car crash in the UK that left him with severe brain injuries and internal bleeding, plunging him into a deep coma.
He was later transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he was placed on a ventilator and feeding tube. Over the years, he was seen by numerous medical specialists from around the world.
In 2015, doctors advised his father to consider ending life support. But his father, steadfast in faith and hope, refused—believing his son might still recover.
That hope was momentarily reignited in 2020, when clips shared on social media showed the prince appearing to respond to a visitor. As a woman gently greeted him, saying, “Hi, Didi, hello, hello, let me see, hi,” the prince was seen wiggling his fingers. When she encouraged him to raise his hand—“One more, one more, higher, higher”—he appeared to lift his whole hand briefly off the bed.
Prince Al-Waleed’s father—brother of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal—never lost hope that his son would one day make a full recovery.
Prince Al-Waleed, the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, was mourned in a heartfelt announcement his father made on X yesterday.
Despite occasional signs of possible recovery, Prince Al-Waleed remained in critical condition.
Heartbreaking images spanning the past 20 years have shown his devoted father steadfastly by his bedside. In one photo, Prince Khaled can be seen resting his palm gently on his son’s chest, while another captures a tender moment as he embraces the “Sleeping Prince” lying in his bed.
Over the years, other photos show the prince wearing traditional Arab headgear—a symbol that, despite his condition, he remained firmly within the royal fold.
Prince Khaled’s announcement yesterday afternoon marked the end of an era, as he shared the news of his son’s passing with a verse from the Quran and details of the funeral prayers.
It is not yet clear why Prince Khaled chose to switch off life support at this time.
Yet, the steady stream of photographs, hopeful words, and unwavering faith formed the foundation of the nation’s collective memory of the profound loss endured by Prince Al-Waleed and his family.
Following the announcement, the hashtag “Sleeping Prince” quickly trended across social media, with thousands expressing their condolences and sympathy.
Funeral prayers for the prince are scheduled for today at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
Men and women have been invited to pay their respects at Al-Fakhariya Palace from Sunday through Tuesday.
In a statement, the Global Imams Council expressed their condolences:
“The Global Imams Council extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the esteemed Royal Family on the passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who passed away after a long struggle lasting nearly twenty years following a tragic accident.”
