A tragic accident in 2005 left the 36-year-old prince with a brain hemorrhage that left him lifeless
Saudi “Sleeping Prince” dies after two decades in coma
The royal court announced on Saturday that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died. His death brings a tragic end to a nearly two-decade story of hope and patience that began after a tragic accident in 2005.
The 36-year-old prince spent 20 years in a coma at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, which gave him his well-known title.
Over the years, any movement in the prince’s body has been noticed, as many have held out hope for a miraculous recovery, even though medical reports have indicated otherwise.
Here’s what we know about the late prince’s life.
Born in Riyadh in April 1990, Prince Alwaleed was the eldest son of Saudi royal family member Prince Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz and brother of prominent Saudi businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and Princess Reema bint Talal.
At the age of 15, Prince Alwaleed was involved in a car accident while studying for his military degree, which resulted in a brain hemorrhage and left him in a coma, from which he never regained consciousness, despite intensive medical efforts by specialized teams outside Saudi Arabia.
Despite intensive efforts, including visits from an international medical team consisting of three American doctors and a Spanish doctor, Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid’s condition reportedly showed no improvement.
In 2019, his aunt, Princess Rima, shared a video in which she was seen shaking her head. In the video, she expressed gratitude, saying, “The protector, the strong, the merciful, the merciful… Alwaleed bin Khalid shaking his head from side to side. Praise and thanks be to God.”
Clinging to hope
Despite everything, Prince Alwaleed’s father never lost hope for his son’s recovery and was quoted as saying that the prince’s life could have ended in an accident and that God is able to heal him.
Every now and then, the grieving father would go to his son’s bedside to pray and recite the Quran, hoping for a miracle.
Although the prince was almost lifeless, his family made sure that his hospital room was decorated for various occasions such as Ramadan, Eid or Saudi National Day.
Prince Alwaleed’s funeral will be held on Sunday (July 20) after Asr prayers at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
