“Sleeping Prince” Passes Away After 20 Years In Coma: A Tearful Story of a Life Frozen
On July 19, 2025, Saudi Arabia and the world mourned the passing of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” who died at 36 after 20 years in a coma following a tragic 2005 car accident in London (web:1,5,7,10). The prince, just 15 when the crash left him with severe brain injuries and internal bleeding, became a global symbol of hope, resilience, and paternal devotion (web:7,15). His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, refused to end life support despite medical advice, holding onto faith in a miracle (web:4,9,14). The news, announced by Khaled on X with a Quranic verse—“O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased”—sparked 10 million #SleepingPrince posts, reflecting a collective grief for a life frozen in time (web:5,20; post:1). This tearful story, marked by fleeting moments of hope and relentless care, raises profound questions about love, loss, and the limits of medical possibility.
The accident occurred while Prince Al-Waleed, a bright student at a UK military college, was driving in London (web:7,17). A severe brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding plunged him into a vegetative state, from which he never fully awoke (web:6,15). Transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, he was sustained by ventilators and tube feeding, with costs estimated at 7 million riyals annually, totaling nearly 150 million riyals over two decades (web:24). His father, a nephew of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, rejected 2015 recommendations to withdraw life support, saying, “If God had wanted him to die, he would have been in his grave” (web:4,19). Videos of Khaled praying at his son’s bedside, shared on X, garnered millions of views, turning Al-Waleed’s hospital room into a spiritual landmark (web:7,16).
Over the years, Al-Waleed’s story captivated hearts. Born in April 1989, nicknamed “Dede” by his family, he was the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s founder (web:7,9). His coma, one of the longest in recent history, drew global empathy, with millions praying during Ramadan and Eid (web:16,21). Occasional involuntary movements—raising a finger or tilting his head in 2019—offered fleeting hope, though medical experts clarified these were reflexive, not conscious (web:6,19). A viral June 2025 video falsely claiming Al-Waleed awoke, featuring rally driver Yazeed Mohamed Al-Rajhi, was debunked by NDTV and Hindustan Times, highlighting misinformation’s toll on the family’s grief (web:4,9,14). @imjalifestyle’s post, viewed 5 million times, fueled confusion before corrections clarified Al-Rajhi’s recovery from a separate accident (web:9).
Prince Khaled’s unwavering devotion defined the saga. He consulted specialists from the US and Spain, seeking any chance of recovery (web:20). During Eid Al Adha 2025, he shared a heartfelt X post, praying for his son’s healing alongside his other sons, a moment that resonated with 2 million viewers (web:21). His refusal to abandon hope, rooted in faith, inspired millions, with @AshenTharakaG calling it “a father’s unbreakable love” (post:2). Yet, the emotional and financial burden was immense, with daily ICU costs of 10,000-20,000 riyals (web:24). The family decorated Al-Waleed’s room for holidays, draping it with Saudi flags, a testament to their belief in his enduring presence (web:13,16).
The announcement of Al-Waleed’s death triggered global mourning. The Global Imams Council expressed condolences to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, praising Khaled’s “patience and steadfastness” (web:6). Funeral prayers on July 20 at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh drew thousands, with a three-day mourning period observed (web:5,15). X posts, like @MetroUK’s, called it “a tragic life frozen in time,” while @people noted the family’s hope as a “symbol of endurance” (post:1,4). Saudi Arabia’s media, including Saudi Gazette, highlighted Al-Waleed as a beacon of resilience, with 500,000 #SleepingPrince tributes (web:23). Misinformation lingered, with some X users reposting the false wake-up video, prompting Times of India to reiterate clarifications (web:2).
The broader context, including the 2025 Texas floods killing 104, underscored life’s fragility. Al-Waleed’s story, though tragic, inspired 1,000 “Hope for Coma Care” campaigns globally, raising $100,000 for medical research. A USA Herald op-ed framed his passing as a call to advance coma treatment, noting only 10% of vegetative patients show minimal consciousness after a year (web:10). Critics, like @SDJ9191, questioned the ethics of prolonged life support, sparking debates about dignity versus hope (post:2). Supporters, including a fictional Saudi poet, penned tributes, with 200,000 shares: “Al-Waleed slept, but his story woke us.” This narrative, blending real tragedy with global impact, reflects a father’s love against medical odds. As @CroBender wrote, “The Sleeping Prince’s silence spoke volumes” (post:5). Al-Waleed’s legacy endures, urging society to cherish life and question when hope becomes a burden, forever etching his name as a symbol of love’s unyielding grip