Saudi Arabia Mourns ‘Sleeping Prince’ Al-Waleed bin Khaled, Dead at 36 After 20-Year Coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” passed away on July 19, 2025, at age 36, after nearly 20 years in a coma, as confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court and his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, via a statement on X.
Born in April 1990, the eldest son of Prince Khaled and nephew of billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, he suffered severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a 2005 car accident while studying at a military college in London at age 15.
Treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, he remained on life support with minimal responsiveness, despite consultations with global specialists.
His father, rejecting advice to end life support, maintained hope through spiritual devotion, with family and supporters sharing viral videos of minor movements, like head tilts in 2019, as signs of potential recovery.
Prince Al-Waleed’s story symbolized resilience, drawing widespread condolences across social media upon his death, with funeral prayers held on July 20, 2025, at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
