Saudi Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince' Passes Away After Nearly 20 Years In Coma
'We pray that the Almighty Allah envelops the late Prince with His vast mercy, grants him a place in His eternal Paradise, and bestows patience and solace upon his family and loved ones," it added.
At just 18 years old, the promising future of the Sleeping Prince was halted — but his family's resolve never wavered.
Instead of withdrawing from the public eye, the family allowed glimpses into the prince's condition.
Over the years, videos and photos surfaced showing him in a hospital bed, sometimes with subtle movements that ignited renewed hope.
One such moment, when his father claimed the prince moved his fingers in response to speech, made headlines across the Arab world.
Throughout the years, Prince Khaled bin Talal and his family refused to give up. They rejected calls to remove life support and instead placed their trust in divine will.
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Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a tragic road accident at the age of 15 while studying at a military college in the UK read more Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the 'Sleeping Prince' of Saudi Arabia, passed away at 36, nearly two decades after a 2005 car accident in London left him in a coma. 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 15, while studying at a military college in the UK, he suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a tragic road accident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite urgent medical efforts, including care from specialised physicians from the United States and Spain, he never regained full consciousness. He was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support for nearly 20 years. His father, Prince Khaled, steadfastly rejected suggestions to withdraw life support, holding onto hope for a miracle. The prince, dubbed the 'Sleeping Prince,' occasionally showed minimal movements, such as slight finger lifts, which were shared in rare videos online, sparking fleeting hope among his family and supporters. Prince Khaled confirmed his son's death, stating: '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.' The Global Imams Council also expressed condolences: '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 scheduled for Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
