Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 36, two decades after a car accident in London left him in a prolonged coma.
The young royal, who was just 15 at the time of the 2005 crash, suffered a brain haemorrhage and internal bleeding that left him dependent on life support. He never regained full consciousness.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, confirmed the prince’s passing on Sunday via a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a Quranic verse and expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
Before the tragic accident, Prince Al-Waleed had been studying at a military college in London. He was flown back to Saudi Arabia and placed under constant medical care at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
Despite his condition, Prince Khaled remained steadfast in his belief that his son could recover and refused to withdraw life support, turning the prince into a symbol of perseverance and faith across the Arab world.
Images shared over the years showed the prince surrounded by loved ones, highlighting the unwavering support of his family.
His death has triggered an emotional wave online, with tributes pouring in and the hashtag #SleepingPrince trending widely as many across the region mourn the end of a long and painful chapter.
