“The Sleeping Prince Is Finally at Rest”: Saudi Arabia Mourns Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled After 20 Years in Coma

The heart of Saudi Arabia grew heavy this weekend as news broke of the passing of Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, affectionately and famously known as “The Sleeping Prince.” After lying in a coma for two decades following a devastating car accident in 2005, the young royal passed away, closing a chapter that had quietly endured in the minds of millions across the Arab world and beyond.

Prince Al Waleed’s story was one of tragedy, resilience, and an enduring glimmer of hope. In 2005, while studying at a military college, the prince suffered traumatic brain injuries in a severe traffic accident. That single moment altered the trajectory of his life, thrusting him into a long, silent battle for survival, entirely dependent on machines to breathe and live. But in a world often fueled by pessimism and fleeting attention, his story remained a steady flame of faith and familial devotion.

The prince, a nephew to global business magnate and billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, came from a lineage of immense wealth and influence, yet his story captured hearts not because of privilege, but because of humanity. Over the years, his hospital bed transformed into a quiet symbol of strength. Despite medical odds stacked against him, his family refused to give up. His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, known for his unshakable belief in miracles, kept his son under round-the-clock medical care, publicly affirming his hope for a divine recovery.

What made Prince Al Waleed’s story even more striking was how deeply it resonated with the Saudi people. Social media platforms became unofficial prayer walls, flooded with messages of hope, encouragement, and prayers from ordinary citizens. Updates on his condition — often shared by family members — were received with eager anticipation, particularly one in 2019 that sent waves of emotion across the region. In the widely circulated video, the prince appeared to move two of his fingers. The moment was short, yet profoundly impactful. For many, it was proof that the “Sleeping Prince” was still fighting.

Images of the prince over the years, resting beneath the green Saudi Arabian flag, were a constant reminder of both vulnerability and unity. One striking photo that went viral bore the inscription, “Our Country is in Our Hearts,” subtly weaving national identity into the personal tragedy. His silent struggle became a mirror for the endurance of faith in the face of despair — a deeply spiritual connection in a nation rooted in Islamic values.

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the royal family took to the social platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the somber news. The message was brief but laden with grief: “With hearts full of sadness and acceptance of God’s will, we announce the passing of our beloved Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal.” The statement added that his funeral would take place in Riyadh the following day, Sunday, July 20.

As condolences poured in from leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, and common citizens alike, it became abundantly clear that the prince’s life — though lived without words, without movement, and without traditional milestones — had left a permanent imprint. Tributes described him as a “warrior of silence,” a “beacon of unrelenting hope,” and “a soul that united a nation.” Some mourners described how they had grown up seeing his photos and felt as though they had lost a family member.

Though his physical presence was confined to a hospital room for two decades, Prince Al Waleed had become a quiet companion in the lives of many Saudis. His story was often used by parents to teach children about patience, by clerics to preach faith, and by medical professionals to highlight the unexplored mysteries of human consciousness.

Saudi state television dedicated special segments to his life, while mosques across Riyadh echoed with prayers for the repose of his soul. Crowds gathered outside the royal family’s compound as a final mark of respect, holding candles and reciting verses from the Qur’an. Streets in the capital observed a few hours of subdued traffic as signs of mourning crept into everyday routines. Even in a nation accustomed to grandeur and ceremony, this particular loss felt deeply personal.

While Prince Al Waleed’s passing signals the end of a painful 20-year wait for his immediate family, it also closes a collective emotional chapter for the nation. For years, the question of “What if he wakes up?” lingered in the air. Now, that question has given way to gratitude for the strength he showed, even in his stillness, and for the unity his story inspired.

As the sun set over Riyadh on the evening of his burial, it carried with it the echoes of thousands of prayers, whispered in private corners and shouted in the public square. The Sleeping Prince, who had neither spoken nor moved meaningfully for two decades, had nonetheless spoken volumes. His life, frozen in time, taught an entire generation about resilience, divine will, and the beauty of unyielding love.

Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal may have lived his final 20 years in silence, but in that silence, he became a voice — a voice for hope, for faith, and for the sacredness of life, however fragile. As Saudi Arabia bids farewell to its Sleeping Prince, his memory rests not just in the annals of royal history, but in the hearts of a nation that never stopped believing.