Why family of 'Sleeping Prince' Al-Waleed refused doctors' advice before tragic death
A Saudi prince who spent 20 years living in a coma after a tragic car accident in London has sadly died, but his family never gave up on him.
Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, passed away on Saturday at the age of 36.
He was tragically nicknamed the "Sleeping Prince" after spending more than two decades in a coma, following a terrible accident at the age of 15, when he was studying as a military cadet in London.
He suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in the accident, and despite urgent medical care, he never regained full consciousness. He was hospitalised at King Abdulaziz Medical City and was kept on a ventilator until his death.
Announcing the devastating news of his passing, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, said: "With hearts believing in Allah 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."
Prince Al Waleed's family never gave up hope that he would one day recover, so they ignored doctors' advice and kept him alive on life support.
Their decision was rooted in their religious beliefs, as Prince Khaled previously explained, according to the Economic Times: "If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now."
His mother also said that she still sensed her son's spirit while he was in a coma for two decades.
The prince's family found fresh hope in 2019 when he moved his fingers and head. According to Roya News, Prince Al-Waleed "showed signs of limited awareness through small gestures, such as lifting a finger or slightly moving his head—though these moments did not indicate a return to full consciousness". This was said to be his last known movement.
The young royal needed continuous mechanical breathing assistance during his time in hospital and never regained complete awareness or consciousness. He remained in ciritical condition until he died.
Although Prince Al-Waleed was locked in a deep coma, his family made sure his hospital room was decorated for important events like Ramadan, Eid or Saudi National Day.
During a hospital visit alongside his sons Saud and Mohammed, Prince Al-Waleed's younger brothers, Prince Khaled asked for prayers that he might recover and wake up from his coma. His hospital room was often frequented by visitors offering prayers and support.
Funeral prayers for the prince will be held on Sunday at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. After Prince Khaled's announcement on X, many people shared their condolences.
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