Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After 20 Years In Coma
July 20, 2025
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A Saudi royal, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died after spending two decades in a coma following a car accident, the country’s royal family has said.
The Saudi royal court said on Saturday said Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had died, but did not offer any further detail. The funeral prayer would be held on Sunday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, according to a statement carried by the country’s SPA news agency.
The prince had been in a coma since he was involved in a car accident in London in 2005, where he had been attending military college as a teenager.
Who Was Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud?
The prince was the son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, and a nephew of Saudi billionaire, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, and Princess Rima bin Talal. Prince Khaled said in a post to social media on Saturday his son had “passed away to Allah’s mercy today.”
The skyline of Riyadh is seen on October 31, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The skyline of Riyadh is seen on October 31, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Prayers would take place on Sunday, and funeral services for the prince will last three days from then, regional media reported.
The prince was studying in the U.K. when he was involved in a road collision aged 15, leading to a brain hemorrhage. He then spent roughly 20 years under “close medical supervision” without regaining consciousness, according to English-language Saudi newspaper, the Saudi Gazette.
The prince had “brief episodes of limited movement” over the years, the newspaper reported.
What People Are Saying
The Global Imams Council, an Iraq-based religious NGO, said on Saturday it offered its “sincere condolences” to the Saudi Royal Family.
“As we share the grief of the Royal Family on this solemn occasion, we recall with deep respect the patience and steadfastness demonstrated by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, and his family,” the organization said.
“We pray 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 GIC said.
Prince Alwaleed’s father, Prince Khaled, said in a statement posted to social media: “With hearts full of faith in Allah’s decree and destiny, and with profound sadness and sorrow, we mourn our beloved son Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away to Allah’s mercy today.”
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