Known to the world as the “Sleeping Prince,” a Saudi royal has died at 36 after spending two decades in a coma – his life frozen in time since a tragic car crash at just 15.
Born in April 1990, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud – who according to People was affectionately known as “Dede” by his family – was just 15 years old when his life changed forever.
In 2005, while pursuing his military education in London, the young royal was involved in a tragic car accident that left him with catastrophic brain injuries and severe internal bleeding, the Mirror reports.
Following the accident, the young prince was transported back to Saudi Arabia and admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where – for over 20 years – he remained in a deep coma – silent, motionless, and suspended between life and death.
But in that stillness, a father’s love never wavered.
Silent vigil
From the moment of the tragic accident that left the young prince in a vegetative state, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud – a prominent member of the Saudi royal family and nephew of billionaire investor Prince Al Waleed bin Talal – refused to give up hope.
He made the heartbreaking decision to keep his eldest son on life support, believing, year after year, that a miracle could still come.
Through every Eid, every Ramadan, every Saudi National Day, Prince Khaled transformed his son’s hospital room into a space of celebration and faith. Colorful lights, family photos, and handwritten prayers filled the sterile room, turning it into a symbol of resilience and love.
“I am pleased to inform you that [his] health condition is stable, and [he is] currently in intensive care,” he wrote on April 10, 2024 – a viral tweet that included a brief clip of his son the Sleeping Prince lying unconscious in his bed, the room decorated for the holiday Eid.
Over the years, hundreds of visitors came to the hospital, offering prayers and quiet support, turning the prince’s bedside into a sacred gathering place.
It was a scene that repeated for two decades: a father standing vigil, a nation watching quietly, and the world holding its breath.
Final goodbye
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, that long vigil came to an end.
The grieving father shared the heartbreaking news on X, posting a black-and-white image of his son lying peacefully in a hospital bed, eyes closed, still as ever.
“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,” he wrote in Arabic, announcing the death of his eldest son.
A prayer service was held the next day in Saudi Arabia, with members of the royal family, close friends, and grieving citizens paying their final respects.
The young prince was more than just a prince in a coma – he became a symbol of the immeasurable bond between parent and child.
Rest in peace, Prince Al Waleed. Please share your condolences to the family in the comment section below and then share this story so we can hear from others!
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