RIYADH – Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has passed away after nearly two decades in a coma, the Saudi Royal Court confirmed on Saturday, July 19.
Funeral prayers will be held on Sunday, July 20, after Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
A tragic accident and years of hope
Prince Alwaleed slipped into a coma in 2005 after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage from a traffic accident while studying at a military college in London. Since then, he had been under long-term care at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
Despite doctors recommending the withdrawal of life support, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, refused, holding onto hope for a miraculous recovery. “If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,” Prince Khaled once said, expressing his unwavering faith.
Over the years, Prince Alwaleed occasionally showed small movements—like lifting a finger or turning his head—but these were not signs of regained consciousness.
A story that touched millions
The young prince’s long struggle inspired widespread sympathy across Saudi Arabia and beyond, with many following his journey and praying for his recovery. His passing marks the end of a chapter that deeply moved the Kingdom.
