Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family, turned 36 on April 18, 2025. Known around the world as the “Sleeping Prince,” he has spent the last two decades in a coma following a tragic road accident in 2005.
The Accident That Changed Everything
During his studies at a British military college, Prince Al-Waleed had a severe car crash in 2005. The accident left him gravely injured and comatose—a condition from which he has not yet recovered. Ever since, he has been kept on life support in Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Medical City.
The prince has depended on a feeding tube and ventilator for almost 20 years, Roya News reports. His health has not really changed much since then, though he is said to have shown slight movements, such as raising a finger or lightly moving his head, in 2019. These movements did not, however, signal full consciousness.
Family’s Unwavering Faith in His Recovery
In spite of medical experts advising the withdrawal of life support, Prince Al-Waleed’s father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, did not lose hope. Resolute in his belief and affection for his son, he declared, “If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now.”
This uncharitable faith in divine intervention has held up Prince Al-Waleed on life support for almost two decades, with his family still waiting and hoping against hope that a miracle will happen.
A Royal Lineage of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Monarch
Despite not being a direct family member of the present monarch, Prince Al-Waleed is an important figure in the royal family. He is the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who founded the modern state of Saudi Arabia. His granddad, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was among the numerous sons of King Abdulaziz.
This royal lineage also makes Prince Al-Waleed a cousin to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the current Saudi monarch.
Social Media Remembers the ‘Sleeping Prince’
On his 36th birthday, photos of the prince—some of which show him reclining in a hospital bed with his family members by his side—swamped social media. Netizens across the globe prayed and sent out touching messages, most admiring the family’s love and strength that had endured.
One of the posts was, “Years have gone by, but hope never dies. May God heal Prince Al-Waleed.”
The Life He Could Have Lived
Born to privilege and duty-bound to emulate Saudi Arabia’s elite, Prince Al-Waleed’s future was bright. His admission to military college promised a sense of service to his nation. Yet, fate had other ideas, halting his life at only 18 years old.
For years, the moniker “Sleeping Prince” has clung to him, representing both his extended state of unconsciousness and the potential that lies dormant and unrealized.
Minor Signs but No Fundamental Progress
In 2019, a video went around where Prince Al-Waleed appeared to be raising his finger when he heard his mother’s voice. The action brought hope to his fans and sympathizers. However, experts warned against reading such spasmodic movements as indications of progress toward consciousness.
Medical experts keep checking on his health, yet there have not been any considerable developments over the last few years. His treatment continues to be intense, needing a team of healthcare specialists and around-the-clock care.
A Tale That Never Loses Its Power to Inspire Hope
Regardless of how much time goes by, the story of Prince Al-Waleed still captivates humanity globally. People are discussing widely about his family’s emotional resilience, particularly the choice of his father to seek treatment even with unfavorable medical diagnoses.
It’s a story that combines science, faith, and human emotion—raising profound ethical questions while also evoking admiration for the lasting power of hope.
As Prince Al-Waleed’s seventh year in a coma passes, he remains a potent symbol of unshakeable parental devotion and religious devotion. His father’s unshakeable conviction that one day his son will come out of his coma has transformed this royal tragedy into a universal tale of hope.
Whether or not Sleeping Prince ever unclenches his eyelids, his tale continues to enflame the heart, letting the world remember that sometimes even in silence and quiet, existence is meaningful.
