Saudi Arabia’s Sleeping Prince Turns 36 After Nearly 20 Years in a Coma
SAUDI ARABIA – Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a Saudi royal known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has turned 36, nearly 20 years after a devastating car crash left him in a coma.
The great-grandson of King Abdulaziz was studying at a military college in London in 2005 when he suffered a severe brain hemorrhage in a road accident that changed his life forever.
Since then, he has remained unconscious, relying on life-support machines at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
His father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, has rejected medical advice to discontinue life support, clinging to hope that his son will wake up. “If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now,” he previously stated.
In 2019, slight movements—such as lifting a finger or turning his head—briefly raised hopes but did not lead to full consciousness.
His mother, Princess Reema bint Talal, has also publicly shared emotional messages of faith and perseverance.
According to Roya News, Prince Al-Waleed’s birthday on April 18 sparked a wave of global attention, with prayers and support flooding social media.
Photos of the prince surrounded by his family circulated online, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to his care.
His case continues to inspire worldwide sympathy, with many admiring the family’s resilience and devotion.
As another year passes with no change, his family remains steadfast, refusing to give up on the possibility of his recovery.
