Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled Biography: Who was the Late Sleeping Prince?

Saudi Arabian Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, often known as the “Sleeping Prince,” died on Saturday, July 19, after a 20-year coma. The prince, 36, has been in a coma for two decades, following a vehicle accident in London in 2005.
Al Waleed’s father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, confirmed his son’s death on an X post, writing, “With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, we mourn our beloved son Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today.”
According to the Khaleej Times, funeral prayers will be performed on Sunday, July 20, with separate services for men and women. Men will pray following the Asr prayer at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. Women’s prayers will follow the Dhuhr prayer at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
People will be able to give their condolences for three days, from July 20 to July 22. Men are permitted to visit Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Palace in the Al-Fakhriyah area, while women may do so during Maghrib prayer.
Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled Biography
Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
Prince Alwaleed was born in April 1990 to Prince Khaled bin Talal and Princess Dalal bint Saud. His paternal grandfather, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, was a prominent member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family, while his maternal grandfather, King Saud bin Abdulaziz, was the country’s second king. Prince Alwaleed’s remarkable pedigree elevated him to the ranks of the Saudi royal family’s most prominent members.
Prince Alwaleed has numerous brothers, including his younger brother, Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, who is well-known for his business enterprises and support for renewable energy and healthy living. The family maintained close contact, with Prince Khaled frequently exchanging updates and moments with his brother, showing the strong familial bonds that defined their relationship.
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Career
Because he fell into a coma at the age of 15, he did not pursue any public, professional, or military careers. His personality and public reputation were completely defined by his lengthy physical condition; he became a symbol of hope, faith, and familial love rather than professional achievement.
Al-Waleed bin Khalid accident
At around age 15 in 2005, Prince Al Waleed was studying at a military academy in London when the accident occurred. He was involved in a serious car crash that caused a severe brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding, leaving him unconscious.
The injuries were catastrophic—doctors described them as “severe brain injuries” requiring immediate and extensive medical attention. After the accident, he was initially treated in London before being transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh
He remained in a vegetative coma, never regaining full consciousness, and stayed on life support continuously for nearly 20 years. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, refused to withdraw life support, believing in divine healing and continued faith.
The prince’s hospital room became a poignant symbol of hope—visitors would pray, and on social media, videos of subtle movements like finger twitches occasionally stirred renewed optimism
Prince Al-Waleed Coma
Photo Credit: @calm_933, X
He remained in an unconscious coma after sustaining significant brain damage in a vehicle accident as a teenager. Prince Al Waleed was a military cadet in London at the time of the deadly car accident in 2005, which resulted in significant internal bleeding.
On rare instances, the prince demonstrated involuntary movements, raising optimism for his recovery. Although physicians had previously recommended that his father discontinue life support, the older prince publicly refused because he hoped for his son’s recovery. Even when expert American and Spanish physicians were involved in emergency medical care, he never fully recovered.
Prince Al-Waleed Death
Prince Al Waleed died on July 19, 2025, at age 36, in King Abdulaziz Medical City. His father announced his death on X (previously Twitter), invoking a passage from the Qur’an and expressing sadness and confidence in Allah’s will.
Final rites and public mourning
Men’s funeral prayers were set on July 20 at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, while women’s services were held separately at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Condolences would be welcomed at the family’s Al Fakhriyah castle for three days.
Prince Al-Waleed’s funeral prayers were held on Sunday, July 20, following the Asr prayer at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. Women’s prayers were held at King Faisal Specialist Hospital following the Dhuhr prayer. The family is receiving condolences from July 20 to 22.