Saudi “sleeping prince” from Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in a coma
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, also known as Saudi Arabia’s “sleeping prince,” passed away on Saturday, July 19, after spending 20 years in a coma. He was 36 years old at the time of his death.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, confirmed the news on social media. “With a heavy heart, we mourn the death of our beloved son, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. May God have mercy on him. He passed away today,” he wrote on X.
The funeral prayer for the deceased will take place on Sunday, July 20. The venue for men will be the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after the afternoon prayer; for women, it will be held at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital following the noon prayer.
It is noted that the mourning period will last for three days — Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
What is known about the “sleeping prince”
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal was studying at a military academy in the United Kingdom when, in 2005, he was involved in a car accident. He sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and fell into a coma — one he remained in for over 20 years.
He was placed on a ventilator and kept under continuous medical supervision at the King Abdulaziz Medical Center in Riyadh. The prince’s father was actively involved in his care and consistently opposed any attempts to disconnect life support. Both he and Prince Al-Waleed’s mother, Princess Rima bint Talal, held firm in their belief that their son might one day regain consciousness.
On April 18, the “sleeping prince” turned 36. He remained on a ventilator and was fed through a feeding tube. The last documented movements occurred in 2019, when, according to media reports, he showed signs of limited awareness through small gestures, such as raising a finger or slightly moving his head. However, it was noted that these moments did not indicate a return to full consciousness.
In 2025, the prince’s family did not make any public comments or provide updates on his condition. They also did not issue any statements on the occasion of his birthday, although his father had been posting photos and messages about his son on social media in recent months.
Al-Waleed was the great-grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia and belonged to the royal Al Saud dynasty.
Politics Editor
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