Prince Al Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, often referred to as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 35 after spending nearly two decades in a coma.
The news was announced by his father, Prince Khalid bin Talal, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
Prince Al Waleed fell into a coma in 2005 following a serious car accident while studying at a military college in London. At the time, he was just 15 years old and was considered a promising cadet with a bright future.
Since then, he had been receiving care at a specialised medical facility in Saudi Arabia, where his condition remained largely unchanged. Over the years, his family frequently shared updates and videos of the prince in his hospital bed, which often drew a wave of sympathy from the public.
The prince’s long medical battle became a symbol of perseverance for many in the Kingdom. His family remained hopeful, continuing to seek treatments and therapies, and insisting he showed signs of responsiveness, including brief movements or tears.
Born in April 1990, Prince Al Waleed was a member of the prominent House of Saud, the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. His uncle, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, is one of the Kingdom’s most well-known billionaires and investors.
His funeral is expected to be held in Riyadh, with senior members of the royal family and government officials in attendance.
The prince’s passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences on social media, where many Saudis have expressed admiration for the family’s devotion and offered prayers for the late royal.
No official statement has been released by the Saudi Royal Court at the time of writing.
