Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince,’ has passed away nearly two decades after a devastating car accident left him in a coma.
He was 36 years old.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, confirmed the news in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 19, 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.”
{يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ، ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً، فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي، وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي}
بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره وببالغ الحزن والأسى ننعى إبننا الغالي
الأمير الوليد بن خالد بن طلال بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود رحمه الله
الذي انتقل… pic.twitter.com/QQBbMWGOOG— خالد بن طلال بن عبد العزيز ( أبو الوليد ) (@allah_cure_dede) July 19, 2025
A black-and-white image of the prince with his eyes closed accompanied the announcement.
Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed was 15 years old and studying at a military college in London when he was involved in a horrific car crash in 2005. The accident caused severe brain injuries and internal bleeding, placing him in a coma from which he never fully recovered. He remained on life support at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh for the rest of his life.
Over the years, Prince Khaled consistently shared updates and photos of his son, showing family and visitors praying by his bedside. Despite medical odds, the prince occasionally showed slight signs of movement, such as lifting a finger, which his father took as signs of hope. He steadfastly refused to withdraw life support.
أدعو الله عز وجل
بإسمه الأعظم وبأسمائه الحسنى و صفاته العلا
الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وحده لا شريك له
له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير
مع بداية عام 2025
أن يشافي ويعافي
والدتي وابني الوليد
ومرضانا ومرضى المسلمين pic.twitter.com/FGIv1yhRHG— خالد بن طلال بن عبد العزيز ( أبو الوليد ) (@allah_cure_dede) December 31, 2024
Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled and the nephew of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. His grandfather, King Abdulaziz, was the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
The Royal Court also confirmed the prince’s passing, and the Global Imams Council issued a message of condolence, stating: “We pray that the Almighty Allah envelops the late Prince with His vast mercy, grants him a place in His eternal Paradise, and bestows patience and solace upon his family and loved ones.”
The hashtag #SleepingPrince trended on social media shortly after the announcement, with thousands expressing their condolences.
Funeral prayers were held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh on the same day.
