Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' Al Waleed bin Khaled passes away after 20-year coma

Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, also known as the 'Sleeping Prince,' has passed away nearly 20 years after falling into a coma due to a car accident in London in 2005. He was 36 years old.

Born in April 1990, Prince Al Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, a prominent Saudi royal and the nephew of billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. At the age of 15, while studying at a military college in the UK, he was involved in a tragic road accident that resulted in severe brain injuries and internal bleeding.

Despite extensive medical efforts and the involvement of specialized physicians from the United States and Spain, he never regained full consciousness.

Following the accident, he was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained on life support under continuous medical care for nearly two decades.

His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, had consistently rejected suggestions to withdraw life support, maintaining hope for a miraculous recovery.

Over time, he became known as the 'Sleeping Prince,' with occasional videos surfacing online showing minimal movements, like the slight movement of his fingers, providing brief moments of hope to his family and well-wishers.

Confirming his passing, Prince Khaled expressed, '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, who passed away to Allah's mercy today.'

The Global Imams Council also offered condolences, stating, 'The Global Imams Council extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to... His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the esteemed Royal Family, on the passing of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who passed away after a long struggle that lasted nearly twenty years following a tragic accident.'

The funeral prayers will take place on Sunday, July 20, after the Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.