Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal: The Story of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’

Saudi Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince’, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud dies after 20 years in a coma In a mere legal definition, someone who dies while in a persisting vegetative state is considered legally dead, as ‘life’ is the criteria that determine death. His tale resonated with millions throughout the Middle East, serving as an emblem of unyielding faith, patience and a parent's enduring love for a child.

A Promising Life Cut Short

A scion of the royal family, Prince Al-Waleed had been the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and the nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. In 2005, he was 15 years old, studying at a military academy in London, when disaster struck. A terrible car crash had left him with a traumatic brain injury, comatose.

Doctors diagnosed him as being in a persistent vegetative state with little prospect of improvement. Life support probably made little sense, many told the family. But his father stood firm. Prince Khaled would not let go, and not, he told himself one day, because he was a sentimentalist, but because he was so religious: Only God has the right to deal and take life.

Two Decades of Faith and Care

The prince was in a coma for 20 years, last cared for at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. He depended on machines for breathing and to get nutrition. During that interval, his loved ones, his father in particular, had managed his medications closely.

There were moments of response — finger movements, blinking — that gave them tiny glimpses of hope. His father posted videos of those little reactions online, and they soon made the rounds of social media.These posts were particularly frequent during the month of Ramadan, Eid and other religious celebrations which lead some to adore Prince Al-Waleed in many hearts of the Arab world.

A Symbol of Devotion

There was more to the story of the “Sleeping Prince” than a medical case. It turned into a national tale of love, faith and persistence. Prince Khaled’s family’s decision to keep him on life support galvanized a number of people who admired his resolve and religious faith.His updates often carried Islamic prayers and verses, reminding people of the sanctity of life and the power of prayer.

The prince’s illness also set off broader conversations about values and medical care and religious belief in the Arab world. While some questioned the family’s decision to keep him on life support for so long, many deferred to the family for having made a choice based on deep faith and personal devotion.

Final Goodbye

Prince Al-Waleed died on July 19, 2025 at the age of 36. His father announced his death in a despairing post, quoting the Quran. The day after, funeral prayers were offered at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Hundreds came to pay their respects, giving tribute to a prince who had lived in silence but left a potent message.

Legacy of the Sleeping Prince

Unaware, after two decades in a coma, Prince Al-Waleed had become a living icon of hope, patience and (oft-imperceptible) faith. His upbringing served as a testimony to the power of a parent’s love and belief in miracles. The Sleeping Prince of Saudi Arabia leaves a Silent Kind of Legacy. Not with words -but with the solemn force he awoke.”