The nation of Saudi Arabia stands united in mourning today as Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known reverently across the Arab world as the “Sleeping Prince”, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, after spending twenty years in a coma. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, announced the heartbreaking news through an emotional social media post that instantly reverberated across the Kingdom and beyond, marking the end of an extraordinary journey of faith, paternal devotion, and national solidarity.
The Tragic Turning Point: London, 2005
Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal and nephew of billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. At just 15 years old, the promising royal was studying as a military cadet in London, preparing for a life of service, when catastrophe struck. A devastating car accident in 2005 left him with severe brain injuries and internal bleeding. Despite emergency intervention and consultations with specialized medical teams from the United States and Spain, the young prince never regained full consciousness. Airlifted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, he remained under constant care, suspended between life and death.
A Father’s Unyielding Faith
What followed became one of the most poignant narratives in modern Saudi history. Prince Khaled bin Talal transformed into a symbol of unyielding paternal devotion, spending two decades at his son’s bedside. He publicly rejected suggestions to withdraw life support, declaring his faith in divine healing. His social media became a chronicle of hope—sharing videos during Ramadan of the room adorned with lights, images of family gatherings during Eid, and moments when Prince Al-Waleed showed fleeting signs of movement:
- 2019: Princess Rima bint Talal shared footage of him moving his head side-to-side
- 2020: A video showed him lifting his fingers, igniting national hope
- April 2025: His name trended again as Princess Rima posted, “Twenty-one years and you are always present in our hearts”
“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing. Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise.” – Prince Khaled bin Talal announcing his son’s passing on X
The Spiritual Epicenter: More Than a Hospital Room
Prince Al-Waleed’s hospital room evolved into a national symbol of faith and resilience. Visitors—religious figures, well-wishers, and royals—frequented the space, offering prayers and Quranic recitations. Videos suggesting the prince responded subtly to Quranic verses went viral, deepening the public’s emotional connection. His condition transcended medical discourse, becoming intertwined with themes of patience (Sabr) and divine will in Saudi culture. The hashtag #SleepingPrince emerged as a digital gathering space for millions tracking his journey.
Prince Al-Waleed’s passing at 36 marks the end of a 20-year vigil. The Royal Court confirmed his death through the Saudi Press Agency, triggering an outpouring of grief across social media. Funeral prayers will be held on July 20 after Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Separate services for men and women will extend over three days of mourning:
- Men’s Service: Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal’s Palace in Al-Fakhariya
- Women’s Service: Al-Fakhariya Palace after Maghrib prayer
The Sleeping Prince’s story concludes, but his legacy as an emblem of familial love, faith, and national unity endures. As one X user mourned: “Your time on earth was a blessing to your family and the world.”