Saudi Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince' turns 36 after nearly 20 years in coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a Saudi royal often called the 'Sleeping Prince', recently marked his 36th birthday while still in a coma, nearly two decades after a car crash left him unconscious.
According to Roya News, the prince was just a young student at a military college in 2005 when he suffered a serious head injury in a road accident. Since then, he has remained in a coma, kept alive by machines at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
Who is the 'Sleeping Prince'?
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family, is often referred to as the 'Sleeping Prince' due to his long-term coma. He is the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, and the grandson of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz. Though not directly related to the current king, Salman bin Abdulaziz is his great-uncle.
Despite doctors recommending life support be stopped, Prince Al-Waleed's father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, has refused. He holds strong hope that his son will recover. 'If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,' the father reportedly said, choosing to continue care for his son.
In 2019, there were reports that Prince Al-Waleed showed small signs of movement, such as raising a finger or turning his head, but these did not lead to full consciousness.
His condition has again drawn public attention on social media following his birthday on April 18, with people sharing photos of the prince surrounded by loved ones.
Prince Al-Waleed is the great-grandson of Saudi Arabia's founding king, Abdulaziz Al Saud. His grandfather, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, was one of King Abdulaziz's many sons. The current ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, is also a son of King Abdulaziz making him the prince's great-uncle.
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