Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince”, has died at the age of 35 after spending two decades in a coma.
His passing was announced by his family on Saturday.
Funeral prayers are scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, following Asr prayers.
Two decades in coma
Prince Al Waleed, the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, suffered severe brain injuries in a 2005 car accident while studying in London as a military cadet. He was just 15 at the time.
Despite receiving treatment from top medical specialists, he never fully regained consciousness. However, in a 2020 video circulated by his family, the prince was seen slightly moving his fingers in response to his aunt’s voice.
Tributes and prayers
Throughout his prolonged medical struggle, Prince Al Waleed became a symbol of resilience and faith. According to Saudi Gazette, his father resisted all calls to withdraw life support, saying only God decides life and death.
Social media users often referred to him affectionately as the Sleeping Prince.
His story, followed closely by millions across the region, came to a solemn end with the royal court’s announcement of his death.
