‘Sleeping Prince’ Alwaleed bin Khaled dies after 20 years in coma

Saudi Arabian prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud has died, two decades after falling into a coma. He was 36 years old, his family announced on Saturday.

Prince Alwaleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud and a nephew of billionaire tycoon Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Born in April 1990, the prince was involved in a car accident in 2005 while studying at a military college in London, United Kingdom, at the age of 15. The crash caused severe brain injuries and internal bleeding, leaving him in a coma. Since then, he had been known as the "Sleeping Prince."

He was transferred to Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained under constant monitoring and life support. Although he occasionally showed slight movement, such as lifting a finger, he never regained full consciousness.

His father, Prince Khaled, confirmed his passing in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter).

"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, who passed away to Allah’s mercy today," the Prince Khaled wrote in Arabic.

The Global Imams Council (GIC) also issued a message of condolence.

"The Global Imams Council extends its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the esteemed Royal Family on the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who passed away after a long struggle that lasted nearly twenty years following a tragic accident," the statement read.

"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 statement added.