Saudi 'sleeping prince' dies after 20 years in Coma: Royal office
2 Min Read
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud, known as the "sleeping prince", passes after 20 years in a coma.
-
Prince Khalid bin Talal and his son Prince al-Waleed Khalid bin Talal in his hospital bed, December 31, 2024. (Social media/@allah_cure_dede)
Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family known as the "sleeping prince", passed away on Saturday after spending nearly two decades in a coma caused by a car accident, the royal court announced.
The 35-year-old prince fell into a coma following a severe traffic accident nearly 20 years ago. His prolonged medical condition captured public attention across Saudi Arabia and the region, earning him the nickname "sleeping prince."
Throughout the years, there were intermittent rumors about signs of recovery, but none of these were officially confirmed.
Prince Al-Waleed’s father, Khalid bin Talal, consistently expressed his belief that his son would eventually regain consciousness.
أدعو الله عز وجل
— خالد بن طلال بن عبد العزيز ( أبو الوليد ) (@allah_cure_dede) December 31, 2024
بإسمه الأعظم وبأسمائه الحسنى و صفاته العلا
الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وحده لا شريك له
له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير
مع بداية عام 2025
أن يشافي ويعافي
والدتي وابني الوليد
ومرضانا ومرضى المسلمين pic.twitter.com/FGIv1yhRHG
For two decades, he refused to withdraw life support, frequently sharing photographs and updates about his son’s condition on social media, particularly during religious and national occasions.
خلال زيارتي
— خالد بن طلال بن عبد العزيز ( أبو الوليد ) (@allah_cure_dede) June 7, 2025
في عيد الاضحى المبارك
ومعي أبنائي الأحباء
سعود و محمد
لأخيهم الأكبر
الغالي على قلوبنا
الوليد الله يشفيه ويعافيه
أدعوك ياربي
ياخالقي ياإلهي يامولاي
يارحمن يارحيم ياذا الجلال والإكرام
سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح
أدعوك ياربي
بإسمك الأعظم
الله الذي لا إله… pic.twitter.com/IumYbe31vl
His dedication kept the prince in the public eye, with many Saudis expressing sympathy and hope.
Statement On the Passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud pic.twitter.com/st19kxb7lC
— Global Imams Council (GIC) (@ImamsOrg) July 19, 2025
The royal court confirmed that a funeral prayer service for Prince Al-Waleed will be held on Sunday at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in Riyadh.
His death was also confirmed by his father, Khalid bin Talal, via a post on the platform X, where he often documented his son’s medical journey.
{يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ، ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً، فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي، وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي}
— خالد بن طلال بن عبد العزيز ( أبو الوليد ) (@allah_cure_dede) July 19, 2025
بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره وببالغ الحزن والأسى ننعى إبننا الغالي
الأمير الوليد بن خالد بن طلال بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود رحمه الله
الذي انتقل… pic.twitter.com/QQBbMWGOOG
