Saudi Arabia's 'sleeping prince' Alwaleed Bin Khaled dies after being in coma for 20 years
PTC News Desk: Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, famously known as the "Sleeping Prince," has passed away at the age of 36, nearly two decades after falling into a coma caused by a car crash in London in 2005.
Born in April 1990, he was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a notable Saudi royal and nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. At just 15 years old, while studying at a UK military college, Prince Al Waleed was involved in a serious accident that left him with severe brain trauma and internal injuries. Despite extensive treatment involving expert doctors from the U.S. and Spain, he never regained full consciousness.
Following the incident, he was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support and under constant care for nearly 20 years. His father, Prince Khaled, consistently rejected any proposals to end life support, believing in the possibility of divine recovery.
Dubbed the "Sleeping Prince," Prince Al Waleed occasionally made subtle movements—such as slight finger twitches—that were captured in rare video clips and gave his loved ones a glimmer of hope.
Announcing his son’s passing, Prince Khaled stated: “With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, we mourn our beloved son Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. May Allah have mercy on him.”
The Global Imams Council also expressed condolences, extending heartfelt sympathies to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the entire royal family, acknowledging the prince’s long and painful journey following the devastating accident.
Funeral prayers will take place on Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
- With inputs from agencies
