The Long Goodbye: Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Al-Waleed bin Khalid Passes Away After Two Decades in Coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, often referred to as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36 after spending nearly 20 years in a coma. This article explores his life, family devotion, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.
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A Life Paused: The Tragic Journey of Prince Al-Waleed
Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud was a member of the prestigious House of Saud, destined to follow the paths of leadership, duty, and national service. His life, however, took a tragic turn in 2005 when a serious car accident in London—where he was receiving military training—left him in a critical state. At just 15 years old, the prince suffered extensive brain trauma and internal bleeding, leading to a long-term coma that would come to define the remainder of his life.
The accident sent shockwaves through the Saudi royal family and the broader Middle Eastern public. News of his condition became a matter of national attention, sparking debates around medical ethics, religious belief, and the resilience of the human body.
A Father's Unwavering Hope
Prince Khalid bin Talal, Al-Waleed’s father and a member of the influential Talal branch of the royal family, made a deeply personal decision in 2005—against all medical recommendations—to keep his son on life support. Doctors had declared the prince to be in a persistent vegetative state and offered little hope for recovery. However, Khalid bin Talal rejected suggestions to end life support, citing both his Islamic faith and a deep spiritual conviction that his son might one day awaken.
Over the years, Prince Khalid publicly shared moments where his son appeared to show signs of consciousness—minor hand movements, head turns, and spontaneous physical reactions. Though such incidents were rare and often inconclusive, they offered a glimmer of hope to the family and thousands who followed the prince’s story across the Arab world.
The father’s determination was rooted not only in personal love but in religious belief. In Islamic tradition, life is sacred and termination of life support is approached with utmost caution. The decision to keep Al-Waleed alive for so long became both a personal and spiritual mission, reflecting the intricate balance between modern medicine and religious values in Saudi society.
The Symbolism of “The Sleeping Prince”
Over time, Prince Al-Waleed became known as “The Sleeping Prince,” a title that carried both emotional and cultural weight. The moniker transformed him into a symbolic figure, representing hope, family devotion, and the mystery of human consciousness. His story captured imaginations across the Gulf region, appearing frequently in newspapers, family-run YouTube channels, and social media platforms.
The title also served as a subtle commentary on the human condition. In a world driven by medical technology, the prince’s case highlighted how little we truly understand about the brain, especially when it comes to prolonged comas and vegetative states. It posed difficult questions: When does hope become denial? When does faith challenge science? And most importantly, what does it mean to be truly alive?
Daily Care and Two Decades of Vigil
Throughout his 20-year coma, Prince Al-Waleed remained under constant supervision in a highly specialized medical facility in Riyadh. He required round-the-clock care: nutritional feeding tubes, respiratory support, infection monitoring, and physiotherapy to prevent muscle atrophy. Every aspect of his care was supervised and funded by the royal family.
Nurses and specialists assigned to his case often described the level of attention as unparalleled. His room was equipped with the latest in medical monitoring, but also adorned with personal touches—photos from his youth, his military insignia, and hand-written Quranic verses. Family members would visit frequently, reading to him, playing familiar voices, and offering prayers.
There were brief moments of national interest when videos showed Al-Waleed slightly lifting his hand or blinking in reaction to his name. These videos went viral, especially during Ramadan, when stories of miracles and perseverance resonate most deeply in the Islamic world.
The Announcement of His Passing
On July 19, 2025, Prince Khalid bin Talal announced the death of his beloved son via a deeply emotional message. He quoted a verse from the Quran: “O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him].” The message confirmed that Prince Al-Waleed had passed away peacefully at age 36.
The Saudi Royal Court released an official statement the same day, confirming the funeral arrangements and requesting prayers for the departed. The funeral prayer was held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in Riyadh, attended by senior royal family members, religious scholars, dignitaries, and thousands of citizens who had followed the prince’s journey for two decades.
A Royal Lineage
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal was a member of one of the most influential branches of the House of Saud. He was the grandson of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—often called "The Red Prince" for his reformist views—and a nephew of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a global investor and philanthropist who has frequently appeared on international wealth rankings.
Despite his young age at the time of his accident, Al-Waleed was known to have shown promise in both academic and military disciplines. His presence in military training overseas was part of a larger royal tradition of grooming young princes for future roles in national leadership, diplomacy, or business.
Religious and Cultural Reflections
The story of the Sleeping Prince was more than a personal tragedy—it became a canvas upon which people projected their hopes, fears, and spiritual beliefs. The nearly 20-year coma was viewed by many as a test from God, a trial meant to demonstrate patience and submission to divine will. For others, it was a real-time parable about modern medicine’s limits.
Saudi clerics often spoke of the prince’s endurance as a sign of divine mercy. During Friday sermons, his story was cited as a powerful example of parental devotion and unwavering faith. Community members, even those with no direct connection to the royal family, frequently included him in their prayers.
A Legacy Beyond Awakening
Though Prince Al-Waleed never regained consciousness, his life left a profound imprint on Saudi society. His passing closes a deeply emotional chapter, but his story will be remembered as one of the most enduring tales of perseverance in recent royal history.
He is survived by his immediate family, including his father Prince Khalid, and is remembered by millions who watched, waited, and prayed alongside his family for nearly two decades.
His legacy is not in the royal duties he was never able to fulfill, but in the profound questions his journey forced people to ask—about science and faith, hope and acceptance, and the delicate thread that separates life from death.
Final Thoughts
In a country where royal narratives often revolve around power, politics, and prestige, the story of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal stood apart. It was a quieter story, a more intimate one, centered not on action but on stillness, not on command but on compassion. It reminded people of the fragility of life, the strength of a father's love, and the enduring power of hope—even when all else fades.
His death marks the end of an era, not just for his family, but for a nation that followed his silent struggle for 20 long years.
May he rest in peace.
