The "Sleeping Prince" of Saudi Arabia has passed away at the age of 36 after a tragic incident left him in a coma for the last 20 years.
Born on April 18, 1990, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
As a teenager, he was preparing for a life of public service, studying to become a military officer, per the Daily Mail.
Prince Al-Waleed's life was irrevocably altered in 2005 when he was just 15 years old. While studying at a military college in London, he was involved in a catastrophic car crash that resulted in a brain hemorrhage and severe internal injuries, per the New York Post.
Despite the best efforts of medical teams, the prince slipped into a coma and would never regain full consciousness.
He was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support for the next 20 years.
Despite calls over the years to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, stood firm in his refusal, never letting go of the hope that his son might one day awaken.
That hope wasn’t entirely unfounded. In 2015, Prince Khaled was reportedly asked to consider ending life support, but declined.
Then, in 2020, a moment that seemed like a breakthrough occurred.
A now-viral video showed Prince Al-Waleed responding to a visitor by lifting his fingers and even briefly raising his hand. The interaction, though fleeting, reignited hope for a miracle recovery.
“Hi, Didi hello, hello let me see, hi,” the woman said, as the prince visibly moved his hand in response. She gently encouraged him, saying: “One more, one more, higher, higher,” and he complied, offering a rare glimmer of progress.
But despite occasional signs of response, the prince remained in a critical condition.
Throughout the years, Prince Khaled remained a constant figure at his son’s bedside.
Heartbreaking photos captured moments of fatherly love - his hand placed over his son’s chest, or holding him gently as the young royal lay motionless.
Even in his vegetative state, Prince Al-Waleed remained a symbol of royal dignity, often pictured in traditional headwear and cared for with the utmost respect.
Prince Khaled’s emotional tribute on X (formerly Twitter) announced his son’s death on Saturday with a verse from the Quran: “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, who passed away today.”
In another post, he quoted: “O reassured soul, Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], And enter among My [righteous] servants, And enter My Paradise.”
The Global Imams Council also released a statement expressing condolences to the Saudi Royal Family, writing: “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 that lasted nearly twenty years following a tragic accident.”
Funeral prayers are being held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, with thousands expected to attend. Additionally, mourners have been invited to pay their respects at Al-Fakhariya Palace from Sunday through Tuesday.