Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “sleeping prince,” has died after spending two decades in a coma. His father, billionaire Prince Khaled bin Talal, announced the news with a heartfelt message on social media, expressing sorrow and acceptance of Allah’s will.
“With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, we mourn our beloved son Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him,” Prince Khaled wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Prince Al-Waleed, the eldest son of Prince Khaled, fell into a coma in 2005 following a severe car accident in the United Kingdom while he was attending a military college. He was just a young man at the time, pursuing a future in the armed forces.
Following the accident, he was flown back to Saudi Arabia and admitted to the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under intensive medical care for the rest of his life. Over the years, a team of specialized doctors from Spain and the United States was involved in his treatment, but he never regained full consciousness. He survived on life support and feeding tubes for 20 years, making occasional involuntary movements that gave his family moments of hope.
Prince Khaled famously refused repeated medical recommendations to discontinue life support, holding firmly to his belief in divine healing. His unwavering commitment to his son’s care earned public sympathy and brought attention to the family’s long-standing vigil.
Though the prince remained in a minimally conscious state, his condition was closely followed by many in the Gulf region and beyond. His story became symbolic of hope, faith, and perseverance in the face of medical odds.
Prince Al-Waleed’s death marks the end of a decades-long emotional chapter for the royal family and the Saudi public. He is remembered not only for the tragic circumstances of his life but also for the profound devotion shown by his family throughout his prolonged medical ordeal.
Written By Rodney Mbua
