Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ dies after 19 years in coma

Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family known globally as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away nearly two decades after falling into a coma caused by a car accident in 2005.

He was confirmed dead on Saturday, with funeral arrangements scheduled to take place in Riyadh on Sunday, according to family sources.

The late prince, a nephew of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, had remained in a persistent vegetative state for 19 years.

Despite his condition, he became a symbol of unwavering hope, faith, and medical perseverance throughout the Arab world.

In the years following the accident, Prince Al Waleed was kept on life support, with his family—particularly his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal—refusing to give up hope for a miracle recovery.

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Over the years, videos occasionally surfaced showing minimal physical responses, such as slight head or hand movements, which his family cited as signs of potential improvement.

Throughout the nearly two-decade ordeal, his story touched millions across the Middle East and beyond, sparking debates about faith, medical ethics, and the emotional weight of long-term caregiving.

Social media was flooded with tributes after news of his passing broke, with many Saudis and sympathizers across the Muslim world expressing condolences and praising the family’s resilience.

The funeral prayer is expected to be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh before the prince is laid to rest. Further details about public attendance and official representation at the burial were not immediately disclosed.

Prince Al Waleed’s life and prolonged medical state had long stood as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of fate and the enduring power of faith in the face of uncertainty. His passing closes a somber chapter in Saudi Arabia’s modern royal history.