Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, famously known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died after spending nearly 20 years in a coma following a tragic car accident in London. He was 36.
The young Saudi royal, a member of the influential House of Saud and nephew to billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, sustained a severe brain injury in 2005 while studying at a military college in the UK. The accident left him in a vegetative state from which he never fully recovered.
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Despite medical advice over the years to withdraw life support, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, remained firm in his decision to keep hope alive. He maintained that his son would one day wake up, and kept him under continuous care in a private hospital in Riyadh.
In 2019, a video showing Prince Al-Waleed appearing to slightly raise his fingers went viral, fueling brief but widespread hope among supporters and his family. However, doctors clarified at the time that these movements were reflexive and not signs of cognitive recovery.
News of his passing was confirmed by Saudi media outlets on Friday, July 19, 2025. Funeral arrangements and official statements from the royal family are expected in the coming hours.
Prince Al-Waleed’s story captured the hearts of millions across the Arab world—symbolizing both the fragility of life and the enduring power of a parent’s faith. His father’s devotion drew admiration, even as the prince remained silent through the years.
Tributes have poured in from across the region, with many Saudis and international figures offering condolences to the royal family.
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