Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled Al-Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away at the age of 36, after spending nearly 20 years in a coma following a tragic car accident.
The prince was only 15 years old when the 2005 crash in London caused a severe brain hemorrhage and internal injuries, leaving him in a non-responsive state. He had remained on life support ever since.
His death was confirmed on Sunday by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who shared the news in an emotional post on X (formerly known as Twitter). Quoting a verse from the Quran, he expressed profound grief while submitting to the will of God:
“With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. May Allah have mercy on him.”
Before the accident, Prince Al-Waleed was enrolled at a military academy in London. After the incident, he was flown back to Saudi Arabia and admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under intensive medical care.
Despite the prince’s prolonged condition, his father consistently resisted pressure to remove life support, holding onto hope that his son might one day recover.
Over the years, images of Prince Al-Waleed in his hospital bed, often accompanied by family, circulated widely—capturing the hearts of many and symbolizing perseverance, faith, and parental devotion throughout the Arab world.
Following the news of his death, tributes and condolences flooded social media, with the hashtag #SleepingPrince trending across platforms.
