‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20-year coma

The Saudi Arabian royal spent more than two decades in a coma after a horror car crash in London.

A Saudi Arabian royal who spent more than two decades in a coma after a horror car crash in London has died at the age of 36.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid Al-Saud suffered a brain haemorrhage and internal bleeding in the horrific accident in 2005, when he was just 15 years old.

Widely known as the “Sleeping Prince”, he was kept on a ventilator in hospital – but never regained full consciousness.

His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, widely opposed taking him off life support. Picture: X

Prince Al-Waleed was the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, who confirmed his death in a heartbreaking post on X today.

Quoting a verse from the Quran, he wrote: “With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, 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 today.”

The Saudi Prince was on life support for over 20 years. Picture: X

He was just 15 at the time of the accident. Picture: X

Prince Al-Waleed was studying at a military college in London when he was involved in the devastating car crash. After the accident, he was hospitalised at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, where he remained in a coma ever since.

Prince Al-Waleed’s father never gave up hope his son would one day make a full recovery. He remained involved in the prince’s care and firmly rejected calls to withdraw life support.

His funeral will take place today. Picture: X

The hashtag “Sleeping Prince” has widely trended on social media following the announcement, with thousands offering their condolences.

“May Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled, Rest In Peace. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones,” one wrote.

“Your time on earth was a blessing to your family and the world in general,” another said.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” a third said.

Funeral prayers for the prince will be held today at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.

Originally published as ‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20-year coma