Saudi 'Sleeping Prince' dies aged 36 after 20 years in coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud suffered a brain haemorrhage aged just 15 when he was involved in a car crash in London.
Announcing the news of his death in a post on X, his father Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abudalaziz said: '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, who passed away to Allah's mercy today.'
Following his tragic accident while studying at military school in 2005, Prince Al Waheed was transferred to the King Abdulaziz Medical City in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Despite the efforts of several specialists brought in to aid the prince's recovery, he remained on a ventilator and never regained consciousness.
His father played an active role in his treatment, fighting for his son's life and consistently refusing withdrawal his life support, including defying doctors' advice to let nature take its course back in 2015.
Some brief hope was ignited after the prince was observed making minor movements, including raising his fingers and tilting his head, but his condition did not improve.
Prince Al Waheed is a great-grandson of King Abdulaziz or Ibn Saud, the founder and first monarch of Saudi Arabia.
He is also the nephew of billionaire tycoon Al Waheed bin Talal Al Saud and the current regnant, King Salman, is his great uncle.
Prince Al Waheed's funeral prayers will take place on Sunday afternoon at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque for men, while the women's service will be held at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. More Trending
Men and women will also be able to pay their respects at the Al-Fakhariya Palace from Sunday to Tuesday.
The Global Imams Council extended its condolences to the prince.
In a statement posted on X, it said: '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.
'As we share the grief of the Royal Family on this solemn occasion, we recall with deep respect the patience and steadfastness demonstrated by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, and his family a testament to their profound faith in the will and decree of Allah.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: I went to the porn awards and spent a night with the UK's naughtiest performers
MORE: Amber warning for torrential rain and thunder issued as UK hit by downpours
MORE: Banksy's former manager reveals central London building hiding his 'unseen' artwork
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Zoo asks people to donate unwanted animals to feed to predators
A zoo in Denmark is asking for donations of small pets as food for its predators to help their larger predators have a diverse diet. Aalborg Zoo, in northern Denmark, said they're attempting to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there 'for the sake of both animal welfare and professional integrity'. The zoo said pets offered would be 'gently euthanised' by trained staff, and suggested guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as possible donations. Aalborg Zoo's big predators include Sumatran tigers, Asiatic lions, and European lynx. In a Facebook post, they explained: 'Chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs make up an important part of the diet of our predators – especially in the European locust, which needs whole prey, which is reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild. 'In zoos, we have a responsibility to imitate the natural food chain of the animals, in terms of both animal welfare and professional integrity. 'If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us. The animals are gently euthanised by trained staff and are afterwards used as fodder. That way, nothing goes to waste.' The post was met with such backlash that the zoo was forced to turn off the comment section – but not before animal lovers flooded it. One wrote: 'Imagine giving away your pet/animal as fodder, it hardly gets more disrespectful and unworthy than that…' Another added: 'I took a horse to the zoo, a few years ago. It was the quietest and most serene way it went down. It was the best experience for both the horse and I. The staff was sweet and took care of it in the finest way, and were grateful for the donation.' In a statement, the zoo later said: 'For many years at Aalborg Zoo, we have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock. When keeping carnivores, it is necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, etc., to give them as natural a diet as possible. 'Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanised for various reasons to be of use in this way. In Denmark, this practice is common, and many of our guests and partners appreciate the opportunity to contribute.' In 2014, Copenhagen Zoo faced backlash for killing a healthy baby giraffe and feeding it to a lion as part of a diet. More Trending The giraffe, named Marius, was killed in a bid to 'avoid inbreeding'. In a statement then, the zoo said: 'When giraffes breed as well as they do now, then you will inevitably run into so-called surplus problems now and then.' But the killing was controversial, as many zoos offered to take in the giraffe – but Copenhagen Zoo said it would cause inbreeding. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Daredevil scales Copenhagen's tallest hotel before leaping from top MORE: Rhinos now have radioactive horns to fight off poachers MORE: Cat named Leonardo da Pinchy terrorises town by stealing people's underwear
Metro
21-07-2025
- Metro
Fighter jet crashes into school causing fireball while children were in class
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video At least one person has been killed after a training fighter jet crashed in a school campus in Bangladesh while children were in class. Flames have engulfed the Milestone College's Uttara campus, in the capital city of Dhaka. One body has been pulled out from the inferno, while emergency services are still tackling the raging flames – but the number of victims is expected to rise. Footage of the aftermath of the crash shows the fire as crowds watch from a distance. 'Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 1.06pm (7.06am GMT),' the military said in a statement. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: School who banned girl's Union Flag dress forced to shut early after threats MORE: Girl, 12, sent home from Bilton School after wearing Union Jack dress MORE: Pupils hold 'wearing shorts matters' protest in sweltering heatwave
Metro
21-07-2025
- Metro
I've always paid my own way — but my younger sister is a spoilt brat
Sibling rivalry can be intense at the best of times. But when you add in favouritism (or even the belief that one side's getting preferential treatment) things get really ugly. Nina, a 41-year-old Metro reader from Glasgow, has long believed her sister is babied by their parents. While her mum and dad play down their youngest daughter's financial dependence to avoid conflict, Nina's worried about what'll happen when they're older and need support themselves. In this week's Money Problem, personal finance journalist and consumer champion, Sarah Davidson, shares her perspective. If you've got a money problem you'd like Sarah to look into, fill in this online form or email providing as much detail about your situation as possible. No issue is too big or small, and all submissions will be treated with the strictest confidence. My sister is only nine years younger than me, but she might as well be a child when it comes to money – and our parents enable her helplessness, much to my annoyance. While I've worked since I was 16, moved out by 18 and have never taken a handout from my mum and dad (not that they've ever offered) she's still living at home and can't seem to hold on to a job for more than a few months at a time. She doesn't pay a penny in rent and my dad covers all her bills and spending, which I know for a fact he can't really afford. I could probably accept this if she at least helped them out in other ways but she barely lifts a finger, as if it's her right to be bankrolled and waited on around the house. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Whenever I mention how spoilt she is, my mum and dad tell me not to be spiteful. But why is she allowed to sponge off them while I've had to graft? Are they really going to spend their retirement funding her mistakes? And what happens when they can't take care of her anymore – will I be expected to take her in? It's all so unfair. Dear Nina, The fate of the elder sister – you're the first to grow up, push your parents' boundaries, get into trouble and to take responsibility for yourself. To eldest siblings everywhere (and I count myself among you) it can sometimes seem like a tough deal. If I totted up how much money I spent at 25 buying loo roll for my brother, then 22 and living with me in London for 'just a few weeks' (two years), well… But spare a thought for younger siblings too – they're constantly being compared to you. Either they don't do as well or they feel under pressure to outperform you. They're not only being bossed around by your parents, but also by you. Their big achievements aren't a first for your family – you and any other siblings you share have probably already got that T-shirt. And middle children? Let's not even go there. At least the youngest is the baby of the family and, like your own sister it would seem, is indulged where the rest of you were perhaps expected to stand on your own two feet rather sooner. As you correctly identify, it's all so unfair. But then, you don't need me to tell you life isn't fair. Most brothers and sisters want their parents to treat them the same. However, rather than focusing on feeling hard done by, maybe look at it another way. I'd argue that parents are inherently programmed to nurture their children according to their needs – and different children have different needs. You're feeling put out because you perceive your sister as being given exactly what she wants. Your parents might see it differently. Consider this: is being at home for now actually be what she needs? It sounds like you are a self-starter and she isn't. Why is that? Does she need a little bit more support? Now, it may be that your sister is taking advantage of your parents here. She wouldn't be the first. But forget her for a moment. What is it you're really annoyed about in this situation? 'Are my parents really going to spend their retirement funding her mistakes,' you ask. 'Why is she allowed to sponge off them while I've had to graft? And what happens when they can't take care of her anymore – will I be expected to take her in?' This isn't about your sister. It's about you. What you really mean is, why are they spending your inheritance on her ? All of this comes down to choices, Nina. Ultimately, this isn't your decision to make. It's your parents' money and they're entitled to spend it on whatever they like. Obviously, right now they want to spend it on your sister. Whatever the reason and whether it's fair or not, it's their choice and you should probably respect it. If you don't, it will inevitably harm your relationship with them and, even, with your sister. Instead of fretting, consider why you care about this situation so much. Do you need some help with money? Are you feeling neglected by your parents? Or your own relationships at home? Are you equating money with love? More Trending Try talking to them about how you feel. Do it with grace and lay out your reasons for being uncomfortable with the situation. And before you start, have in mind what outcome you want from this. Nobody likes a spoilt brat, but nobody likes a moaner either. Sarah Davidson is an award-winning financial editor and head of research at WPB . View More » Got a money worry or dilemma? Email Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: No parent should feel the need to apologise when their child cries MORE: I tried to give Gran a hug – her reaction still haunts me MORE: Pass the parcel? My child is invited to parties with hummers and helicopters Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
