Pokhara, 20 July – Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, famously known as the “Sleeping Prince” for spending two decades in a coma, has passed away. He had been in a vegetative state since a severe car accident 20 years ago.
According to Gulf News, the prince was just 15 years old in 2005 when he suffered a serious brain injury and internal bleeding during a car accident in London while undergoing military training. Despite the involvement of medical teams from the United States and Spain, he never fully regained consciousness. His prolonged state garnered widespread sympathy and attention throughout the years.
Despite being in a comatose state, occasional slight, involuntary body movements offered a flicker of hope. His father, Prince Khalid, had publicly rejected medical advice to remove life support, always maintaining faith in a divine miracle for his son’s recovery. Family members would reportedly recite the Quran by his bedside, and videos of his body parts seemingly moving during these recitations circulated, inspiring deep public sympathy and respect.
The Saudi Arabian Special Health Centre announced Prince Al-Waleed’s death on July 19, 2025, leading to a massive outpouring of tributes. The hashtag #SleepingPrince trended on social media, with thousands remembering him as a symbol of patience, faith, and paternal love. Gulf News also reported that respect is being extended to his father, who spent years by his son’s bedside.
