
Sleeping Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Dies
Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, affectionately known as the “Sleeping Prince,” died on Saturday after nearly two decades in a coma, leaving a profound impact on Saudi Arabia and the world. Born on April 18, 1989 into one of the kingdom’s most prominent royal families, he was the son of Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud and grandson of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with his uncle being the renowned billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. His life took a tragic turn in 2005 when, at the age of 16, he suffered a severe car accident while studying abroad, plunging him into a persistent vegetative state. Despite occasional glimmers of hope through minor movements, he never fully regained consciousness. The Royal Court announced his death, prompting widespread mourning and reflections on medical ethics and family devotion. Funeral prayers will be held in Riyadh, marking the end of an era for those who followed his journey.
10 points to know:
1. Prince Alwaleed’s family background was steeped in Saudi royalty, as he was born to Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, a devout and influential figure who once resisted calls to end his son’s life support. His grandfather, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, was a reformist known for advocating constitutional monarchy, while his great-grandfather was King Abdulaziz, founder of modern Saudi Arabia. This lineage connected him to King Salman, his great-uncle, embedding him deeply in the Al Saud dynasty’s intricate web of power and philanthropy. His uncle, the billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, added global prominence to the family name.
2. Before the accident, Prince Alwaleed pursued a promising education, enrolling in a military college abroad at a young age, reflecting the royal family’s emphasis on discipline and leadership training. Born in 1989, he celebrated his 36th birthday in April 2025 while still in coma, but his early years were marked by privilege and potential, with expectations of contributing to Saudi society.
3. The fateful accident occurred in 2005 in London, where Prince Alwaleed, then 16, was involved in a severe traffic collision while studying at a military institution. Reports suggest the crash caused traumatic brain injury, leading to immediate hospitalisation. Conflicting accounts place the incident in Riyadh, but most sources confirm London, underscoring the risks young royals face abroad. This event abruptly halted his youthful aspirations and initiated a long medical ordeal.
4. Following the accident, Prince Alwaleed slipped into a coma, initially treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh before being moved home in 2016. He remained in a vegetative state, reliant on a ventilator and feeding tube at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Medical teams provided round-the-clock care, but despite advanced interventions, full recovery eluded him, highlighting the limits of modern medicine in brain injury cases.
5. Prince Khalid bin Talal, his father, played an important role by staunchly opposing doctors’ suggestions to withdraw life support, citing faith in divine will. In interviews, he declared that if God intended death in the accident, it would have happened then, embodying Islamic principles of patience and hope. This decision prolonged Alwaleed’s life for nearly 20 years, inspiring debates on end-of-life ethics within Saudi society and beyond.
6. Over the years, there were fleeting signs of responsiveness, such as lifting a finger or moving his head in 2019, and a hand movement in 2020 reported by his aunt. These moments fuelled family optimism but did not lead to awakening. In June 2025, false viral claims of him regaining consciousness circulated, later debunked, underscoring the emotional toll of misinformation on his loved ones.
7. Dubbed the “Sleeping Prince” by the media, Alwaleed’s plight garnered immense public sympathy, with millions in Saudi Arabia and globally following updates via social media. His story symbolised human endurance, drawing comparisons to other long-term coma cases and raising awareness about road safety and brain injuries. This fascination turned him into a cultural icon of quiet struggle.
8. The Royal Court announced Prince Alwaleed’s death on July 19, 2025 via the Saudi Press Agency, stating he had died peacefully.
9. Funeral prayers will occur on July 20, after Asr prayers at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, with separate arrangements for women at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Condolences extended over three days at family palaces, allowing dignitaries and public to pay respects.
10. His death closed a chapter of hope, prompting discussions on medical advancements and the role of faith in adversity, ensuring his memory endures in Saudi lore.