The "Sleeping Prince" of Saudi Arabia Dies at Age 36 Following 20 Years in a Coma
Known as Saudi Arabia's "Sleeping Prince," Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, died at the age of 36.
After a terrible vehicle accident in 2005,
he had spent the last 20 years in a coma. In a tearful message on X (previously Twitter), his father, Prince Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, revealed the devastating news. "O peaceful soul, return to your Lord, pleasing and well-liked [by Him], and enter My Paradise," he wrote. We grieve the loss of our dear son with great grief and complete faith in Allah's will and mandate.
The Mishap and Coma The Khaleej Times claims that Prince Al-Waleed was in a horrific vehicle accident in 2005 while attending a military academy in London. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage after surgery, which put him in a 20-year coma. Over the years, his health did not improve, despite fleeting indications of movement that gave rise to optimism.
Funeral Planning
On Sunday, July 20, the funeral prayers, or janazah, will take place. The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh will host prayers for males following the Asr prayer. Following the Zuhr prayer, women's prayers will be held at King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Condolences can be sent by mourners from July 20 to 22. The palace of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal in the Al-Fakhriyah area is open to men. During certain days, women are also permitted to visit the palace following Maghrib prayer.
A The Hope of the Father
Prince Khalid never lost hope that his son would get better for twenty years. He frequently prayed for his recovery and refused to remove him from life support, particularly during important Islamic holidays like Eid and Ramadan. On X, he frequently posted heartfelt updates and prayers for his son. Prince Khalid and his other sons visited his son's bedside for Eid al-Adha last month, and he publicly prayed for Al-Waleed's health once more.
Medical Attention and Work Prince Al-Waleed was put on a ventilator after the accident and taken to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. In the hopes of a miracle, his family consulted world-renowned medical professionals. Unfortunately, despite sporadic indications of minor movements that offered brief optimism, his condition never got better.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid was who?
A member of the Saudi royal family, he was known as the "Sleeping Prince" because, following a horrific vehicle accident in 2005, he remained in a coma for 20 years.
2. What led him to go unconscious?
While studying in London, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and a brain hemorrhage.
3. What time and location will the funeral take place?
Men's funeral prayer: Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, Riyadh, July 20, following Asr. Women's prayer: King Faisal Specialist Hospital, following Zuhr.
4. Where can one send condolences?
Condolences can be sent to Prince Al-Waleed's palace at Al-Fakhriyah from July 20 to July 22. Men: Stop by whenever you like on those days. After the Maghrib prayer, women should visit.