Saudi's Sleeping Prince: Two Decades In Silence (image-X/IFarrukhAwan)
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Talal, a Saudi royal, is known as the “Sleeping Prince,” had recently marked his 36th birthday after being in a coma for the past two decades. Despite the medical advice to end the life support, his father holds on to the hope for recovery.
Prince Al-Waleed is the great-grandson of Saudi Arabia’s founder King Abdulaziz, who continues to receive life support in Riyadh. “If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,” the father reportedly said, choosing to continue care for his son.
Read also: Sharjah Waives Traffic Fines Over 10 Years Old, Sets Deadline For Impounded Vehicles
For the past 20 years, he had been trapped in a coma, a silent world in which he entered after a devastating road accident that occurred in 2005 while he was pursuing his dreams at a military college. Today, he lies and is taken care of in the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
In 2019, the young prince had shown some small signs of movement, such as raising a finger or turning his head, but these did not lead to full consciousness. Though this had offered brief glimmers of hope to his family, full consciousness remained heartbreakingly out of reach.
Though Al-Waleed is part of the Saudi royal family, he is not a direct son or brother of the current king. Prince Al-Waleed’s grandfather, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was one of the many sons of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, which makes him the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz.
Read also: Dubai AI Week: AI Literacy Framework, First PhD Programme In AI, And More
Meanwhile, the current King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is also a son of King Abdulaziz, making him the great-uncle of Prince Al-Waleed.
The prince’s 36th birthday on April 18, 2025, garnered significant attention on social media platforms. People worldwide shared photos and messages of support, reflecting the widespread sympathy and hope for his recovery.
