Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince” Alwaleed bin Khaled Dies After 20 Years in Coma
Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known across the Gulf as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died at age 36 after nearly 20 years in a coma, the Saudi royal court confirmed. The announcement, made on July 19, 2025, stated that his funeral prayers will be held at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque on July 20.
At age 15, Alwaleed was studying at a military academy in London when a car crash in 2005 triggered a brain hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. He was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained in an unresponsive state despite occasional movements that offered hope.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, maintained full life support for his son throughout the years. In a message shared on X, the grieving father wrote: “With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sorrow, we mourn our beloved son… may Allah have mercy on him”.
The family allowed visits during major Islamic observances, including Ramadan and Eid, sometimes sharing videos showing faint responses, such as finger movements when reciting the Quran.
Medical care involved consultations with specialists from the United States and Spain, but none led to recovery. The prince continued on long-term ventilation and round-the-clock monitoring.
Calls for prayers and messages of sympathy spread widely online as news of his passing emerged. The hashtag “Sleeping Prince” trended across social media platforms, reflecting deep public empathy.
Officials announced that condolence sessions will be held at the family’s Al‑Fakhriyah palace in Riyadh. Male attendees may offer condolences between July 20 and July 22, while female mourners may attend following prayer times at a designated site near King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Over the years, this case acquired broader resonance across the Arab world. The prince became an emblem of enduring paternal devotion and hope. One official remarked on his passing: “Millions had kept him in their prayers”.
While settlement of the family’s public mourning continues, experts project the death may influence wider discussions within Saudi society about care for comatose patients and the ethical complexities of long-term life support in serious brain injuries.
The death of Alwaleed underscores the unwavering commitment of his family and serves as a reminder of the human dimensions of modern medical care within royal households in the region.
