Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After Two Decades in Coma

A heartbreak etched in a final kiss, a father’s enduring love. Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud bids farewell to his son, Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, the “Sleeping Prince,” who passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025. A hope held for so long is now surrendered to the silence of eternity.

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After Two Decades in Coma

By Thenationweek.com  
July 20, 2025

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is mourning the death of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, affectionately known as the “Sleeping Prince,” who passed away on July 19, 2025, at the age of 36.

The Royal Court confirmed the news, bringing a poignant end to a two-decade-long vigil marked by unwavering hope and a father’s extraordinary love.

Prince Alwaleed earned his somber moniker after a devastating car accident in 2005 left him in a coma at the age of 15.

He was a student at a military academy in London at the time, his life brimming with promise.

The accident inflicted severe brain injuries, transforming a bright future into a heartbreaking battle for survival.

Despite receiving world-class medical care from specialists in the United States, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, Prince Alwaleed remained unresponsive for 20 years.

Occasional or minimal movements offered fleeting glimmers of hope, fueling his family’s unwavering belief in his eventual recovery.

At the heart of this enduring vigil was Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, the “Sleeping Prince’s” father.

He became a symbol of unconditional love, refusing to concede to the grim prognosis and rejecting calls to withdraw life support.

Prince Khaled transformed his palace into a sanctuary of prayer, sharing emotional messages and Quranic recitations on social media.

Videos showing Prince Alwaleed responding subtly to the verses often went viral, resonating deeply with millions across the Arab world.

Each slight movement was interpreted by Prince Khaled as a divine sign, a whisper of hope that his son might one day awaken.

Tragically, that day never came.

Sharing the news of his son’s passing, Prince Khaled, with profound faith, quoted a verse from the Quran on X (formerly Twitter): “O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], and enter My Paradise…”

He bid farewell to his beloved son after 19 years of steadfast devotion.

Funeral prayers for Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled are scheduled for Sunday, July 20. 

Men will gather after Asr prayer at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, while women will convene following Dhuhr prayer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.

The palace will open its doors for three days of mourning, welcoming men in the Al-Fakhriyah district and women after Maghrib prayer.

Prince Alwaleed’s life, though tragically cut short, became a powerful testament to the enduring strength of hope, the depths of a father’s love, and the unwavering power of prayer.

He will be remembered not just as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” but as a young man whose story inspired millions to believe in the impossible.