Tragedy in Saudi Arabia: ‘Sleeping Prince’ dies at 35 after two decades in coma

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, known to the world as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 35. He had been in a coma for 20 years following a severe car accident as a teenager in London.

The news was announced on social media platform X by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud—an established member of the Saudi royal family and cousin of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal:

“With hearts believing in Allah’s will and judgment, 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—who passed away today.”

{يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ، ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً، فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي، وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي}

With hearts believing in Allah’s decree and filled with profound sadness, we mourn our dear son Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who has passed away… pic.twitter.com/QQBbMWGOOG

— Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz (Abu Alwaleed) (@allah_cure_dede) July 19, 2025

Tragic fate

Prince Al-Waleed was born in April 1990. In 2005, at the age of just 15, he was studying in London as a military cadet when he was involved in a serious traffic accident, according to 24.hu. The collision left him with a traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding. Although he received immediate medical attention and treatment from both American and Spanish specialists, he never regained consciousness.

Over the years, the family had him transferred from London to Riyadh, where he remained under care at King Abdulaziz Medical City hospital until his passing. His father never gave up hope and insisted from the beginning that his son should remain on life support.

Global mourning and condolences

News of the prince’s death spread rapidly across social media. The hashtag “Sleeping Prince” began trending again on X, this time as an outpouring of grief and condolences. “Your time on earth was a blessing to your family and the world in general,” one user wrote. Another commented, “May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled, Rest In Peace. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones.”

The funeral prayers are held today at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.

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Featured image: illustration, depositphotos.com

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