Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36, the royal court confirmed on Saturday.
The prince had been in a coma for nearly two decades following a tragic car accident in London in 2005. He was only 15 at the time and had traveled to the UK to study as a military cadet. The crash caused severe brain damage and internal bleeding, leaving him unconscious ever since.
Despite expert medical care, Prince Al-Waleed never fully regained consciousness. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, stood firmly by his side, refusing to take him off life support and ensuring he continued to receive care for the past 20 years.
Over the years, the prince became known as “The Sleeping Prince,” with occasional reports of minimal movements. In 2020, a video circulated online showing him briefly raising his fingers, sparking a mix of hope and emotional reactions from the public.
His death comes shortly after false rumors had spread online claiming that he had woken up from his coma. The royal court has announced that funeral prayers will be held at the Grand Mosque in Riyadh on Sunday.
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed, known as the Sleeping Prince, has died after 20 years in coma pic.twitter.com/QemG4v1eB8
— BNO News (@BNONews) July 19, 2025