Eppe Franklyne –
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Prince Al-Waleed, known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” passed away at 36 after 20 years in a coma.
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He suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2005 car accident while studying in the UK.
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His father confirmed the news, expressing deep sorrow and faith in Allah’s will.
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The prince remained in coma care at King Abdulaziz Medical City with continuous life support.
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His condition drew widespread attention, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the emotional toll of long-term medical care.
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, famously known as the “Sleeping Prince” of Saudi Arabia, has passed away at the age of 36. This follows a tragic 20-year battle after a devastating car accident in London in 2005, which left him with a severe brain injury. At the time, he was studying at a UK military college when the incident occurred.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, confirmed the news on Saturday via a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), expressing profound sorrow and entrusting his son’s fate to Allah’s mercy. Following the accident, Prince Al-Waleed was transported to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained in a coma, receiving continuous ventilator support and 24-hour medical care for two decades.
Throughout these years, the prince’s case resonated deeply across Saudi Arabia and beyond. Many followed his rare reflexive movements with cautious hope, and despite consultations with leading international specialists, he never regained consciousness. His father’s steadfast commitment to maintaining life support underscored a profound hope that one day, the prince might awaken.
Prince Al-Waleed’s journey became emblematic of resilience and the profound emotional challenges faced by families enduring prolonged medical care. His story will remain a poignant chapter in the kingdom’s collective memory.


