Latest news with #SaudiRoyalCourt
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Saudi ‘Sleeping Prince' Alwaleed bin Khalid laid to rest; funeral prayer held in Riyadh
Mourners gather in Riyadh for the funeral of Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid, known as the 'Sleeping Prince'/ Image Composite: SPA/ File TL;DR Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal passed away on July 19 after being in a coma since 2005. The funeral was held on July 20 in Riyadh, attended by senior royals and officials. Condolences poured in from UAE leaders and others across the region. Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud has passed away, closing a chapter marked by hope, uncertainty, and quiet resilience. For nearly two decades, he lived in a coma after a car crash in London changed the course of his life at just 15 years old. The Saudi royal, who had once been a young cadet at a military college, spent the rest of his life under intensive care in Riyadh, watched over by his family and remembered by many in the kingdom. His death was confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court on July 19, and funeral prayers were held a day later, on Sunday, July 20, at Riyadh's Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, as reported by SPA. The moment marked the end of a long, deeply personal journey for his family, especially for his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, who had stayed by his side and held on to the possibility of recovery. Who Was Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid, the 'Sleeping Prince'? Born in 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and the nephew of prominent businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. In 2005, while attending military college in London, a car accident left him with a severe brain injury that resulted in a long-lasting coma. The injury caused a brain hemorrhage, and despite medical efforts, he never regained full consciousness. He returned to Saudi Arabia soon after and was kept under round-the-clock care. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Over the years, short clips occasionally surfaced online showing slight movements, flickers of response that his father believed were signs of hope. These moments kept the prince in the public eye and became symbols of faith and patience for many Saudis. A Funeral Marked by Quiet Respect On Sunday, July 20, mourners gathered at one of Riyadh's oldest and most prominent mosques to offer funeral prayers. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, led the prayer. Members of the royal family stood together, joined by high-ranking officials and ordinary citizens alike. Among those present were the prince's father, his two brothers, and his uncle Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Their presence marked both the closeness of the family and the weight of the loss they had carried privately for years. There was no official ceremony beyond the prayer, just a collective acknowledgment of a quiet life and the people who never left his side. UAE Leaders Share Their Condolences Following the announcement of his death, condolences began arriving from across the region. According to SPA, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, offering sympathy on behalf of the Emirati leadership. Similar messages came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Presidential Court. Their responses reflected more than diplomatic protocol, they showed the deep personal and political ties that link the leadership of Gulf nations. Prince Alwaleed's passing, though quiet, stirred real emotion across borders. Family, Faith, and a Long Wait for a Miracle Throughout the years, Prince Khaled bin Talal often spoke publicly about his son's condition. He remained hopeful, even sharing rare footage where the prince appeared to move a hand or blink in response to sound. Many in the kingdom saw this long vigil as an act of love and faith. The story of the Sleeping Prince wasn't just about tragedy, it became a symbol of endurance. His father's refusal to give up was both admired and deeply human. Though Prince Alwaleed never recovered, his story stayed alive. And in that way, he was never entirely gone. FAQ 1. Who was Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud? He was a Saudi royal born in 1990, the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew of businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. He fell into a coma in 2005 after a car accident and remained in that state for nearly 20 years. 2. What caused the coma? He suffered a brain hemorrhage after a severe car crash while studying at a military college in London. 3. When and where was the funeral held? The funeral prayer was held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Leaders
3 days ago
- General
- Leaders
Sleeping Prince of Saudi Arabia Dead at 36 After 20-Year Coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud, a Saudi royal who spent two decades in a coma following a devastating car crash in London, has passed away at the age of 36. The prince was just 15 years old when the 2005 accident left him with a brain hemorrhage and severe internal injuries. He never fully regained consciousness and remained on life support in Riyadh's King Abdulaziz Medical City. Sleeping Prince Known affectionately as the 'Sleeping Prince,' Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who confirmed the tragic news in a heartfelt post on social media. 'With hearts full of faith in Allah's will and decree, and with deep sorrow, we mourn our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. May Allah have mercy on him,' his father wrote, quoting a verse from the Quran. At the time of the crash, Al-Waleed was a student at a military college in London. Despite the severity of his condition, his family never lost hope that he might recover. Prince Khaled remained by his son's side and refused all suggestions to withdraw life support. Moreover, the news of his passing has sparked an outpouring of grief online, with the hashtag 'Sleeping Prince' trending as thousands paid tribute. 'May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family,' one user wrote. 'His life was a quiet testament to love and hope,' said another. 'May his soul find eternal peace,' added a third. Funeral prayers are scheduled for today at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Related Topics: Saudi Royal Court Announces Demise of Princess Sultana bint Saud King Salman: Royal Order to Name a Riyadh Road after Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen Royal Court: King Salman to Undergo Routine Checkup Short link :
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Who was Prince Al-Waleed, and why was he known as Saudi Arabia's sleeping prince?
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud was born in April 1990 into one of Saudi Arabia's most influential royal families. He was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and the nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin with the privileges and responsibilities of royalty, Al-Waleed had been preparing for a future in military service. In 2005, at just 15 years old, he was enrolled at a military college in London when his life was suddenly and irreversibly year, a serious car crash in the UK left him with massive brain injuries and internal bleeding. Doctors struggled to stabilise him. Despite efforts by both American and Spanish medical teams, his condition did not improve beyond a minimally responsive the accident, he was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. From that moment, his life entered a long pause. Though he remained alive on life support, Al-Waleed never recovered full movements gave occasional hope — a twitch of a finger or a blink during Quranic recitation — but there was no significant neurological progress. He was kept under constant care for nearly 20 years. Medical experts early on concluded that he would never return to a conscious state. Yet his father refused to give Khaled bin Talal stood by his son every step of the way. Faced with difficult decisions, he chose to fight for his son's life, believing firmly that life and death were not for humans to refused repeated advice to end life support. Instead, he placed his trust in divine a public post on X (formerly Twitter), Prince Khaled announced his son's passing, writing, "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." — allah_cure_dede (@allah_cure_dede) For nearly two decades, his son's hospital room became a place of prayer. Visitors included religious figures, well-wishers, and thousands who saw in the prince's story something larger than tragedy — a powerful example of hope and human the years went by, the public gave him a name: the 'Sleeping Prince'.The phrase captured the frozen nature of his life — a young royal who entered a coma at 15 and stayed there until his death at 36. He was a symbol of suspended time, a reminder of fragility, and a story that millions followed from videos over the years sparked speculation, with some suggesting he had woken up. One recent clip falsely claimed to show the prince reunited with family, but it was later revealed to feature Saudi billionaire Yazeed Mohamed Al-Rajhi. The rumours were common. The reality stayed the never death on 19 July was confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court through the state news agency. The Global Imams Council issued its condolences, saying, "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." Social media flooded with tributes under the hashtag #SleepingPrince. Messages came in from across the Arab world."May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled, Rest In Peace. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones," one user posted."Your time on earth was a blessing to your family and the world in general," said prayers for Prince Al-Waleed were held on Sunday, 20 July, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, following the Asr women, prayers were held at King Faisal Specialist Hospital after the Dhuhr family is receiving condolences from 20 to 22 Al-Waleed's story is not one of a life lived fully, but of a life that never got the chance. His 20 years in a coma became a national memory — not because of what he did, but because of what he endured, and what his family stood father's quiet defiance against letting go, his refusal to pull the plug, and his belief that healing could come from above, left a lasting impression on the the end, the Sleeping Prince became a symbol of patience, prayer and the long weight of hope.
Yemen Online
3 days ago
- General
- Yemen Online
Saudi Royal Court Announces Death of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal After Two-Decade Coma
The Saudi Royal Court has officially announced the passing of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the 'Sleeping Prince,' following nearly 20 years in a coma caused by a traumatic car accident in 2005. In a deeply emotional statement shared by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, the family expressed their sorrow and faith: 'O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing. Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise.' 'With hearts believing in Allah's will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son.' Prince Al-Waleed, who was just 15 when the accident occurred during his military studies in London, remained in a vegetative state for two decades. His condition became a symbol of perseverance and paternal devotion, as Prince Khaled refused to withdraw life support, believing in divine healing. Videos of the prince responding faintly to Quranic recitations had long captured public empathy across the Kingdom. The funeral prayer will be held on Sunday, July 20, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh for men, and at King Faisal Specialist Hospital for women. Mourning gatherings will take place over three days at the family's residence in Al-Fakhariya district. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes under the hashtag #SleepingPrince, as Saudis and others across the Arab world shared condolences and praised the family's unwavering faith. Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and the nephew of billionaire investor Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. His story, marked by tragedy and hope, has left a lasting emotional imprint on the nation.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
China's visa-free trial for GCC nationals hailed as major boost to bilateral ties, cooperation
FILE PHOTO: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman poses during his visit to the Great Wall in Beijing, China Feb 21, 2019. China's visa-free trial for GCC nationals has been welcomed. - Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS DOHA: China is launching a trial policy granting ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain visa-free entry for stays from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026 of up to 30 days, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "With the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that have implemented reciprocal visa-free policies with China since 2018, China now grants visa-free treatment to all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. We welcome more friends from the GCC countries to embark on an impromptu trip to China," said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the ministry. The announcement has been warmly welcomed across various sectors in the four countries, with many expressing optimism about the policy's potential to enhance bilateral exchanges, strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, and inject new momentum into cooperation between China and the GCC nations. "The impromptu 'China Tour' has finally become simple!" said Ayidh Al Yami, international office director of the Saudi Ministry of Investment. "I'm really glad to see that the relations between China and Saudi Arabia are getting closer and closer, and cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections have become more convenient," he added. A Saudi businessman with his company in Shanghai, Tariq Abdullah Buqnah, CEO of Buqnah Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., welcomed the announcement. "This step is not merely a simplification of travel procedures - it is, in my view, a true reflection of the growing strength in relations between Saudi Arabia and China," he noted. Omani political analyst Ahmed Al-Shezawi said: "Visa exemption will contribute to facilitating the movement of business people, investors and tourists." Echoing Al-Shezawi's view, Hamed Abdulqader Altwallah, general manager of the Saudi Employee Department at China Railway 18th Bureau Group (Saudi Arabia), said "it will greatly facilitate Saudi suppliers' visits to China for inspection and procurement, broaden our company's procurement channels, and introduce more high-quality and suitable resources for project construction." Hailing the move as "highly significant," Omani columnist Khalfan Al-Touqi said the trial policy serves the citizens of these countries by making travel to China easier, and benefits China by attracting more tourists from these countries. It also demonstrates and aligns with China's opening-up, he added. Hebah Abbas, chief engineer and technical adviser of the Ministry of Education in Kuwait, chairwoman of the Sustainability Committee at the Kuwait Water Association and member of AmCham Kuwait, said this policy greatly facilitates her visit to China to explore renewable energy projects, attend environmental conferences and engage in technical exchanges with Chinese companies, adding that the access lays a foundation for mutually beneficial partnerships. Ahmed Al-Salloom, businessman and chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee at the Bahraini Council of Representatives, said the policy "marks a qualitative leap in the trajectory of economic and trade relations" and "will lead to a notable increase in trade volume." Noting its direct impact on enhancing trade exchange between Bahrain and China, as well as the GCC countries more broadly, he said, "Such facilitation measures will significantly ease mobility, broaden opportunities for direct engagement, and allow closer inspection of markets and products." Abdul Majeed Ali Haji, General Manager of Bahrain's Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper, said the important and timely step underscores China's will to "strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties with Bahrain and the wider GCC region." "It will open new horizons for media professionals and experts from both sides, fostering greater cooperation in media and culture," said Abdul Majeed. - Xinhua
