James Uche
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, famously known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 36, bringing to an end a 20-year-long medical ordeal that captured global attention.
Prince Al-Waleed slipped into a coma in 2005 after a devastating car accident in London while studying at a military college. He suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and was subsequently transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under continuous medical care and ventilator support for two decades.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, announced his passing on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
“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,” the grieving father wrote.
Despite consultations with some of the world’s leading specialists and occasional signs of minor physical response that raised hope, the prince never regained full consciousness.
Throughout the years, his father remained steadfast in his belief that his son would recover, consistently resisting calls to withdraw life support. The prince’s rare movements, sometimes captured on video, were widely circulated, offering glimpses of hope to millions who followed his story in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Prince Al-Waleed’s death has sparked an outpouring of condolences across the kingdom, with many hailing his father’s unwavering dedication as a symbol of enduring parental love and faith.