Saudi Arabia’s ‘sleeping prince’ passes away after 20 years in coma

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 36 after spending two decades in a coma following a tragic car crash in London.

The royal fell into a coma in 2005 after suffering a brain haemorrhage while studying at a military college in the UK. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).

“With hearts believing in Allah’s 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,” the grieving father wrote.

After the accident, Prince Al-Waleed was flown to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained in a coma under constant medical care and life support for 20 years.

Despite consultations with global medical experts and occasional flickers of response that raised hope, the prince never regained consciousness.

Throughout the years, Prince Khaled remained steadfast in his dedication to his son’s care, repeatedly rejecting calls to discontinue life support.

The prince’s condition became a subject of public interest in the kingdom and abroad, with many Saudis closely following updates on his health and drawing inspiration from his father’s unwavering devotion.