Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died after spending nearly two decades in a coma following a road accident.
Prince Khaled died at the age of 36; news that cast a cloud of sadness over the internet.
According to Free Press Journal, he slipped into a coma at the age of 15 after suffering severe brain injuries and internal bleeding in a 2005 car crash while studying as a military cadet in London.
Despite extensive medical attention, including treatment from specialists in the US and Spain, he never regained full consciousness.
Over the years, videos of him showing minor reactions to Quran recitations moved many and drew widespread public sympathy.
Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud — known as the Sleeping Prince — has passed away after remaining in a coma for 20 years. ?
? Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un pic.twitter.com/qHBiMUs1VU
— Life in Saudi Arabia (@LifeSaudiArabia) July 19, 2025
For the last 20 years, the prince remained on life support at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
His parents, Prince Khaled and Princess Reema, insisted on maintaining life support in the hope that he would one day recover.
“If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,” Prince Khaled once said, defying medical advice.
The last reported movements from the prince were seen in 2019, when he appeared to lift a finger and slightly move his head, though not enough to signal recovery.
Khaled was born in April 1990 to Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and was a nephew of billionaire royal Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.
According to international reports, funeral prayers will be held on Sunday, July 20.
Male mourners will gather at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh for prayers after Asr, while women’s prayers will take place after Dhuhr at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Condolences will be received from July 20 to 22.
Men may visit Prince Al Waleed bin Talal’s palace in Riyadh’s Al-Fakhriyah district, while women are welcome to offer their condolences after Maghrib prayers during the same period.