Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal of Saudi Arabia has been in a coma for nearly 20 years following a car accident in 2005. The accident occurred while he was studying at a military college. Despite two decades passing, he remains unaware of the world around him and is known publicly as the ‘Sleeping Prince.’
Ongoing Life Support in Riyadh
Now 36 years old, Prince Al-Waleed continues to be kept alive on life support at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. He has been on a ventilator and feeding tube since his accident. In 2019, there were brief reports of minimal movement, such as finger gestures or slight head movements, but these did not indicate a return to full consciousness.
A Family’s Refusal to Give Up
At one point, doctors reportedly recommended ending life support. However, Prince Al-Waleed’s father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, refused. He publicly stated that if his son were meant to die in the accident, it would have happened then. The family remains hopeful for a miracle recovery, even after two decades.
Lineage and Royal Ties
Prince Al-Waleed is a great-grandson of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. His grandfather, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, was one of King Abdulaziz’s many sons. This makes Al-Waleed a great-nephew of the current monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Life Inside the Royal Family
The Saudi royal family, known as the House of Saud, is a dominant political and cultural force in the kingdom. It traces its power to the foundational alliance between the Al Saud lineage and the Wahhābī religious movement. Currently, King Salman rules the nation, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as his successor.
A Silent Symbol of Royal Sorrow
Prince Al-Waleed’s condition has become a somber symbol within the royal family, representing a story of deep loss, enduring hope, and the personal tragedies that can unfold even behind royal walls. His story continues to draw public attention and emotional responses across Saudi Arabia and beyond
