Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince'
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, widely known as the 'Sleeping Prince', recently marked his 36th birthday on April 18th, 2025. His birthday brings renewed attention to his condition, as he has remained in a coma for nearly two decades following a tragic car accident.
Accident and Ongoing Condition
In 2005, while a student at a military college, Prince Al-Waleed sustained severe head injuries in a traffic collision. Since the accident, he has been unconscious and reliant on life support systems, including a ventilator and feeding tube, residing at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. Despite his prolonged state, occasional reports have surfaced, such as in 2019, suggesting minor physical responses like finger or head movements, although these have not indicated a return to consciousness.
Family Background
Prince Al-Waleed is a member of the extended Saudi royal family, being the great-grandson of the kingdom's founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the grandson of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz. The current monarch, King Salman, is his great-uncle. Despite medical recommendations suggesting the cessation of life support, the prince's father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, has firmly refused, maintaining hope for his son's eventual recovery. He has reportedly expressed his belief that divine will would have determined his son's fate at the time of the accident if recovery were impossible. The family continues to surround the prince, sharing images on social media that periodically bring his situation back into the public eye, particularly around milestones like his recent birthday.
Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal's 36th birthday serves as a sad reminder of his nearly twenty-year coma following a devastating accident. His story highlights not only the personal tragedy but also the enduring hope held by his family, particularly his father, who continues to ensure his care against medical odds. The 'Sleeping Prince' remains a figure of public interest, symbolizing both a prolonged medical vigil and unwavering familial devotion.
