Sleeping Prince; How He Survived for 20 Years in Coma?

In a story that captured the hearts of millions around the world, Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as “The Sleeping Prince”, has passed away after spending two decades in a coma. His life—a tragic blend of stillness, hope, and unwavering familial love—came to an end in July 2025, marking the conclusion of one of the most emotionally stirring chapters in recent royal history.

A Life Changed in Seconds

It was 2005. The young Saudi prince, only 15 years old at the time, was pursuing a military education in the United Kingdom. With the promise of youth and nobility at his side, he was a rising star in the royal lineage. But fate intervened when a devastating car accident in London changed his life forever. The crash caused extensive brain hemorrhaging and left the young royal in a persistent vegetative state, a medical condition where the body remains alive, but consciousness is nearly absent. Doctors placed him on life support, and what began as a critical medical emergency turned into a long, uncertain journey of endurance—for both the prince and his family.

Life on Life Support: How He Survived 20 Years

For 20 long years, Prince Al-Waleed remained in a coma. Yet he was never left alone.

He was treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, a specialized hospital for the Saudi royal family and military personnel. His life was sustained by machines. He breathed through a ventilator and received nutrients and fluids via a feeding tube (initially through a nasogastric tube, and later possibly through a gastrostomy tube placed directly in his stomach).

While medically unconscious, he showed occasional reflexive movements. In some videos shared online, the prince could be seen moving his fingers, or blinking, which his father and supporters around the world took as signs of hope and divine possibility. Doctors call this a minimally conscious state, where the patient is unaware of their surroundings but can exhibit random physical reactions. Despite the lack of full consciousness, his organs continued to function with intensive medical care and unwavering attention from a dedicated team of specialists.

The Father Who Refused to Give Up

The story of Prince Al-Waleed cannot be told without mentioning his father, Prince Khalid bin Talal Al Saud. A man of deep faith and determination, Prince Khalid became a symbol of hope for families with loved ones in comas. While many questioned the point of sustaining such a life for so long, Prince Khalid remained resolute:

“God who gave life, can return it at any time,” he once said in a televised interview.

Over the years, he publicly rejected medical recommendations to withdraw life support, saying it was not his place to decide when life should end. Videos and images frequently showed him sitting beside his son, reciting Qur’an, praying, and even talking to him as though he might respond. For Prince Khalid, his son’s survival was not just a medical condition; it was a test of patience, belief, and the divine power of miracles.

The World Watches in Hope and Prayer

Throughout the 20 years, millions of people followed the story of the Sleeping Prince. Social media users often sent messages of support. Muslims across the globe prayed for his recovery, especially during the holy months of Ramadan and Hajj.

Some called his condition a miracle in itself—surviving for two decades without ever waking up, without ever communicating with the world, and yet continuing to breathe, to live. In a world where fast-paced life rarely allows for such sustained hope, the prince became a symbol of stillness, spiritual strength, and the sanctity of life, no matter how limited or quiet it may appear.

The Final Chapter

On July 19, 2025, after a long medical journey, Prince Al-Waleed’s body finally gave in. His passing was announced through royal channels and confirmed by multiple sources close to the family. The news quickly spread across the Arab world, with hashtags like #SleepingPrince and #AlWaleedBinKhalid trending on X (formerly Twitter).

The funeral was held the next day at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. As per Islamic tradition, men and women prayed separately, and the family received condolences over several days. His father, though heartbroken, was said to be at peace with God’s will.

“My son has returned to his Lord. He lived with patience, and we live with gratitude,” Prince Khalid reportedly told family mourners.

More Than a Prince

Prince Al-Waleed may not have been a widely known political figure or military leader. He did not deliver speeches or launch initiatives. He did not rule, nor did he rebel. Yet his silent existence taught lessons louder than words.

He reminded the world of:

The power of unconditional love,

The depths of a parent’s hope,

The limitless boundaries of faith,

And the dignity of life, even in stillness.

In Reflection

In the digital age, where trending news changes by the hour and attention spans flicker like screens, the 20-year coma of Prince Al-Waleed became a timeless reminder that some stories aren’t measured in headlines but in heartbeats.

He was the boy who never woke up, yet he stayed alive in the hearts of those who loved him. He was the prince who never ruled, but whose quiet struggle ruled over hearts. His passing leaves behind a legacy not of action, but of endurance, patience, and deep, spiritual love.

May the Sleeping Prince now rest in eternal peace.